Garcia out: Belgium coach latest of 17 national team managers to depart after 2026 World Cup

Rudi Garcia, the head coach of the Belgian national football team, has become the latest manager to leave his post in the wake of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. His departure brings the total number of national team coaching changes since the tournament concluded to 17.

Garcia's exit follows Belgium's elimination in the quarter-finals by eventual champions Spain. The Royal Belgian Football Association announced on Monday that his contract, set to expire on July 31, would not be extended, marking the end of his time in charge of the Red Devils. The 62-year-old guided Belgium to the quarter-final stage before their campaign was ended by Spain.

Garcia's departure is not an isolated incident but rather part of a significant wave of managerial turnover among national teams globally. Several coaches have resigned following disappointing tournament performances, while others have seen their contracts naturally conclude. A few managers were dismissed during or immediately after the competition.

The list of departing coaches is extensive, including Didier Deschamps (France), Roberto Martínez (Portugal), Zlatko Dalić (Croatia), Javier Aguirre (Mexico), Ronald Koeman (Netherlands), Sebastián Beccacece (Ecuador), Marcelo Bielsa (Uruguay), Steve Clarke (Scotland), Hong Myung-bo (South Korea), Sabri Lamouchi (Tunisia), Miroslav Koubek (Czechia), Pape Thiaw (Senegal), Carlos Queiroz (Ghana), Jamal Sellami (Jordan), Vladimir Petković (Algeria), and Julian Nagelsmann (Germany). This widespread reshuffling underscores the intense pressure on national team coaches, with many football associations seeking new leadership ahead of the next competitive cycle.