The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has confirmed that head coach Rudi Garcia's contract will not be extended beyond the 2026 World Cup, concluding an 18-month tenure that saw the Red Devils reach the tournament's quarterfinals.
Garcia, who took over as head coach on February 1, 2025, succeeding Domenico Tedesco, guided Belgium to qualification for the 2026 World Cup and secured their place in League A of the UEFA Nations League. Despite these achievements, the RBFA has decided to pursue a different direction for the upcoming qualification cycle.
Belgium's World Cup journey ended with a 2-1 quarterfinal loss to eventual champions Spain. The team faced challenges during the match, including the absence of captain Youri Tielemans due to injury and the late substitution of talisman Kevin De Bruyne.
In his reflections on his departure, Garcia expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, "I leave Belgium in League A of the UEFA Nations League and among the top eight teams in the world." He thanked the players, Sports Director Vincent Mannaert, and the fans, adding, "I wish Belgium every success as they continue the generational transition that I was proud to help initiate."
Mannaert acknowledged Garcia's positive impact, noting, "Rudi Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils. He was appointed national coach in a challenging sporting and financial context. Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent FIFA World Cup."
The departure coincides with a period of generational transition for Belgian football, as several key players from the so-called 'Golden Generation' may have played their final major tournament matches.
Looking ahead, Belgium's immediate fixtures include Nations League home games against France and Italy. The RBFA has confirmed that the search for Garcia's successor is already in progress.