Belgium's Red Devils Close a Chapter After Their 2026 World Cup Run

Belgium's national football team has closed an eventful chapter of its recent history, as a spirited run at the 2026 World Cup ended in the quarter-finals and coincided with the end of Rudi Garcia's time in charge of the Red Devils.

The tournament, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, saw Belgium once again number among the strongest sides in the world, reaching the last eight before their campaign came to a close against one of the favourites.

A quarter-final exit against the champions

Belgium advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition before being eliminated by Spain, who edged a tight contest by two goals to one to bring the Belgian journey at the World Cup to an end at that stage.

There was little shame in the manner of the defeat, because Spain went on to win the entire tournament, meaning the Red Devils were knocked out by the team that would ultimately be crowned world champions in the final.

The end of the Garcia era

In the aftermath of the tournament, Belgium and Rudi Garcia agreed not to extend his contract beyond the thirty first of July 2026, drawing a line under a partnership that had lasted a relatively short but eventful period.

His tenure ran for eighteen months in total, having begun on the first of February 2025 when he took over the national side as the successor to the previous head coach, Domenico Tedesco, at a demanding moment.

What Garcia leaves behind

Despite the brevity of his reign, Garcia leaves a tangible legacy, having guided Belgium to qualification for the 2026 World Cup and secured the country's place in the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, known as League A.

By reaching the last eight of the World Cup, the coach also left the team ranked among the top eight sides on the planet, a standing that reflects the steady rebuilding work carried out during his months in charge.

Injuries and fine margins

Reflecting on the quarter-final, Garcia pointed to the absence of key players, noting injuries to captain Youri Tielemans and to the influential midfielder Kevin De Bruyne that disrupted his plans at the most important moment.

He also referred to a number of controversial officiating decisions during the match against Spain, the kind of fine margins that so often separate progress from elimination at the highest level of international football.

A federation looking ahead

The Belgian federation was warm in its assessment of the departing coach, with sports director Vincent Mannaert stating that Garcia had unquestionably played a key role in restoring the standing of the Belgian Red Devils.

Mannaert added that Garcia had been appointed in a challenging sporting and financial context, yet the federation ultimately decided to move in a different direction and is already searching for a successor to lead a new cycle.

The road to a new cycle

For Belgium, the coming months will be about identifying the right figure to build on that foundation, managing the transition of an experienced generation and shaping a squad capable of competing at the next major tournaments.

The 2026 campaign will be remembered as a proud if ultimately frustrating run, and as the moment a respected coach handed over a team that remains firmly established among the leading forces in world football.