World Cup 2026: 9 coaches lose jobs after elimination [Full List]
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Nine national team coaches have lost their jobs following their teams' elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The latest departure is Zlatko Dalic of Croatia, who stepped down after nearly nine years with the team.
- The trend highlights the intense pressure on coaches at major international tournaments, where early exits often lead to leadership changes.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has already triggered significant changes on the sidelines, with nine national team coaches departing their positions after their countries failed to advance. The intense pressure on managers at major international tournaments is evident, as early eliminations frequently result in swift leadership changes.
The most recent departure is that of Croatia's head coach, Zlatko Dalic, who decided to end his tenure following his team's 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Round of 32. The Croatian Football Federation confirmed the 59-year-old's decision, marking the conclusion of a highly successful period that lasted nearly nine years.
Dalic's exit followed closely on the heels of Portugal manager Roberto Martinez, who also left his role after his team's World Cup campaign. Several other nations have also seen their coaches depart after disappointing performances in the competition. These include Carlos Queiroz of Ghana, Julian Nagelsmann of Germany, Sebastian Beccacece of Ecuador, Ronald Koeman of the Netherlands, Miroslav Koubek of Czechia, Steve Clarke of Scotland, and Hong Myung-bo of South Korea.
Following nearly nine years, head coach Zlatko Dalic has decided to close his incredibly successful chapter with Croatia.
Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.