Rudi Garcia will not continue as Belgium head coach after failing to reach an agreement with the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) on a contract extension, the federation [confirmed via AP News](https://apnews.com/article/belgium-coach-garcia-7eae7d6464105b917a2d180749f92f7a) on Monday.
The French coach, who took charge of the Red Devils in January 2025 as successor to Domenico Tedesco, led Belgium to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they were eliminated 2-1 by eventual champions Spain in Inglewood, California. It represented Belgium's best World Cup performance since reaching the semifinals in 2018, signalling a recovery from their group-stage exit at Qatar 2022.
"Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils," said Belgium sporting director Vincent Mannaert. "He was appointed national coach in a challenging sporting and financial context. Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent FIFA World Cup."
Garcia, 62, arrived with a distinguished club pedigree having coached Roma, Napoli, Marseille, Lyon and Lille across a decorated career spanning more than two decades. His appointment as Belgium boss marked his first venture into international management, and he became the first foreign coach to lead the Belgian national team — a bold choice that ultimately paid dividends on the pitch.
Under Garcia's stewardship, Belgium navigated a delicate transitional period. The gradual phasing out of the "Golden Generation" — names like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois nearing the twilight of their international careers — was handled with care, allowing younger talents to emerge onto the world stage. The blend of experience and youth under Garcia produced a cohesive unit that regained respect on the global stage.
The RBFA now begins the search for Garcia's successor. Mannaert will lead the recruitment process, with the federation aiming to appoint a coach who can continue the forward momentum. Garcia's departure leaves big shoes to fill, but the foundation he rebuilt gives Belgium genuine cause for optimism heading into the next World Cup cycle.
"I wish Belgium every success as they continue the generational transition that I was proud to help initiate," Garcia said.
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