Belgium's World Cup coach Rudi Garcia has found himself at the center of a political storm, notably clashing with U.S. President Donald Trump over a player suspension, and has navigated internal skepticism to reach the tournament's quarter-finals.
Garcia was involved in the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's red card and the subsequent decision, influenced by Trump, to allow the American striker to play against Belgium. Reacting to FIFA's reversal, Garcia quipped, "I didn't know that at the World Cup, the Fifth of July is actually the First of April – it's April Fools'!" Belgium went on to win that match 4-1.
Overcoming Early Doubts
Since his appointment in January of the previous year, Garcia, a 62-year-old Frenchman, faced underwhelm from fans who questioned the need for another foreign coach. A challenging qualifying campaign and initial draws in the World Cup group stage did little to quell the doubts. Despite a 5-1 victory over New Zealand that secured Belgium's top spot in Group G, criticism persisted.
The team's dramatic 4-1 comeback against Senegal in the round of 32, where they trailed by two goals until the 86th minute before winning with a penalty in extra time, marked a turning point. This victory was attributed in part to Garcia's bold decision to substitute star players Kevin De Bruyne and Jeremy Doku, a move that paid off spectacularly with two quick goals. An insider described the shift as, "In five minutes, he went from a madman to a genius."
Garcia also benched De Bruyne and Doku for the match against the USA, having previously defended De Bruyne against calls for his omission. He also supported Doku when the player faced criticism for returning to Europe for the birth of his child, missing a World Cup game.
Players have expressed their support for Garcia's management style, including his rotation policy and tendency for early substitutions. Romelu Lukaku, for example, has made a significant impact off the bench, scoring multiple goals and forcing an own goal, despite not starting for his club last season. Belgium has set a World Cup record for goal contributions from substitutes, with nine in total.
"He doesn't look at names. That proves that everyone needs to be ready," stated defender Timothy Castagne.
Underdog Mentality Against Spain
As Belgium prepares to face Spain in the quarter-finals, Garcia, whose grandparents fled Andalusia during the Spanish Civil War, faces a team that has yet to concede a goal in the tournament. He acknowledged the shift in Belgium's status, noting that the team, once ranked No. 1 by FIFA and considered a favorite in previous World Cups, is now the underdog.
"The picture is very different these days. We'll just be the underdogs, but I don't mind that – in fact, I prefer it," Garcia said.
