Belgium's football association and coach Rudi Garcia have mutually agreed not to renew his contract, which expires at the end of July.

The Belgian football association announced on Monday that national team coach Rudi Garcia will step down when his contract concludes on July 31. The 62-year-old Frenchman, who took the position in February 2025, led the team to the quarter-finals of the recent World Cup. Both the federation and Garcia described the decision to part ways as a mutual agreement.

Tournament Performance and Criticism

Garcia’s tenure was marked by fluctuating results and intense media scrutiny. During the World Cup, Belgium drew their opening matches against Egypt and Iran before securing a 5-1 victory over New Zealand to top their group. The team later overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Senegal 3-2 in the last 32, aided by a late, disputed VAR penalty. Following a 4-1 win against the United States, the team was eventually eliminated in the quarter-finals by Spain, who went on to win the tournament. Throughout the competition, Garcia faced significant criticism from the Belgian media regarding his tactical decisions. His choice to substitute goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the Spain match drew particular backlash, fueling speculation about his future before the formal announcement of his departure.

Federation Response and Future Outlook

Despite the criticism, the Belgian football association credited Garcia with stabilizing the team. Sports director Vincent Mannaert stated that Garcia played a key role in restoring the 'Red Devils' and improving team cohesion after being appointed during a challenging financial and sporting period. Mannaert expressed gratitude for Garcia’s 18 months of service. Mannaert is now tasked with selecting a successor for the national team. Belgium’s next competitive fixtures are in the Nations League, starting with an away match against Italy in Rome in late September, followed by a home game against France.