Rudi Garcia left his role as Belgium national team coach shortly after the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. If you follow the 1xBet download app procedure, you will also be able to bet on the Belgian national side too.

This happened because his contract expired and was not renewed by mutual agreement with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA). Although Belgium reached the quarter-finals of the tournament, both Garcia and the federation decided it was the right time for a change as the team prepared for the next cycle leading to UEFA Euro 2028. You can certainly download the 1xBet app to bet on that tournament once it takes place too.

Garcia was appointed Belgium manager in January 2025 with a contract running until the end of the 2026 World Cup. His mission was to stabilize the national team after a difficult period and oversee the beginning of a generational transition. During his tenure, Belgium retained its place in UEFA Nations League A and qualified for the World Cup, achievements that the federation later acknowledged when announcing his departure.

A difficult World Cup campaign

At the World Cup, Belgium’s campaign produced mixed reactions. The Red Devils had 3 results in their group stage:

• a 1-1 draw with Egypt;
• a 0-0 draw with Iran;
• and a 5-1 victory against New Zealand.

They then defeated Senegal and eliminated the United States in the knockout stage before losing a closely contested quarter-final to eventual champions Spain. Despite the respectable result, Garcia’s tactical decisions throughout the tournament attracted criticism from fans and media.

One of the most debated moments came during the quarter-final against Spain when Garcia substituted goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois because he believed the Real Madrid star was not fully fit. Belgium later conceded after Courtois had left the field, leading to widespread scrutiny of the decision. Although Courtois later stated there was no personal conflict with Garcia and respected the coach’s reasoning, the incident intensified discussions about Garcia’s future.

In his farewell statement, Garcia thanked the players, supporters, and federation for their trust. He said he was proud to have contributed to rebuilding team spirit and helping Belgium through an important transition period. The RBFA also praised his professionalism and acknowledged the progress made under his leadership despite the challenging circumstances.

Only days after Garcia’s departure was confirmed, Belgium appointed former Dutch international Mark van Bommel as the new head coach on a 2-year contract.