What Happened to Belgium National Football Team?
The Belgium National Football Team, often referred to as the Red Devils, has navigated a period of transition from its 'golden generation' while maintaining competitiveness on the international stage. After a Round of 16 exit at Euro 2024, they successfully qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals. The team is currently under the management of Mark van Bommel, appointed in July 2026, and is competing in the UEFA Nations League.
Quick Answer
The Belgium National Football Team has recently undergone a transition from its 'golden generation' of players, yet continues to be a strong contender in international football. They reached the Round of 16 at Euro 2024, losing to France, and then qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they made it to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Spain. As of September 2026, Mark van Bommel is the head coach, leading the team in the UEFA Nations League.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Domenico Tedesco Appointed Head Coach
Domenico Tedesco was appointed as the new head coach of the Belgium national team, replacing Roberto Martínez after the 2022 World Cup.
Qualified for Euro 2024
Belgium secured their qualification for UEFA Euro 2024 by winning their qualification group.
Euro 2024 Campaign Begins with Upset Loss
Belgium began their Euro 2024 campaign with a surprising 1-0 loss to Slovakia, marking one of the biggest upsets in the tournament's history based on FIFA rankings.
Advanced to Euro 2024 Round of 16
Belgium advanced to the Round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a 0-0 draw against Ukraine, with all four teams in Group E finishing on four points.
Eliminated from Euro 2024 by France
Belgium was eliminated from Euro 2024 in the Round of 16 after a 1-0 defeat to France, with an own goal deciding the match.
Rudi Garcia Appointed Head Coach
Following Domenico Tedesco's departure, Rudi Garcia was appointed as the new head coach of the Belgium national team, signing a contract through the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026
Belgium secured direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing as winners of UEFA Group J, remaining undefeated in their campaign.
World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals Exit
Belgium's run at the 2026 FIFA World Cup ended in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 loss to eventual champions Spain. They had previously beaten Senegal and USA in the knockout stages.
Mark van Bommel Appointed Head Coach
Mark van Bommel was officially unveiled as the new head coach of the Belgium national team, replacing Rudi Garcia, with a contract running until Euro 2028. His tenure began on August 15, 2026.
UEFA Nations League 2026/27 Campaign Begins
Under new coach Mark van Bommel, Belgium started their 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-0 away victory against Italy.
Loss to France in Nations League
Belgium suffered a 1-0 home defeat to France in the UEFA Nations League, with Michael Olise scoring a late goal for France.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Belgium National Football Team, known as the Red Devils, has experienced a significant period of transition following the peak of its 'golden generation' that achieved a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup. Despite high expectations, this era concluded without a major trophy. The team's performance at the 2022 FIFA World Cup saw them exit in the group stage, leading to the departure of long-serving coach Roberto Martínez. Domenico Tedesco took over in February 2023, tasked with rejuvenating the squad.
Under Tedesco, Belgium participated in UEFA Euro 2024. They advanced from Group E as runners-up, despite all four teams finishing with four points, a unique occurrence in the tournament's history. Their Euro 2024 journey ended in the Round of 16 with a 1-0 loss to France. Following this, Tedesco departed in January 2025, and Rudi Garcia was appointed as the new head coach, signing a contract through the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Garcia successfully guided Belgium through the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. They topped UEFA Group J, remaining undefeated with five wins and three draws, securing direct qualification for their 15th World Cup appearance. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois continued to be central figures, complemented by emerging talents such as Jérémy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Belgium progressed from Group G, which included Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand. They then overcame Senegal in a dramatic 3-2 comeback in the Round of 32 and defeated the USA 4-1 in the Round of 16. Their World Cup campaign concluded in the quarter-finals with a 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Spain. After the World Cup, Rudi Garcia's contract expired, and he left the role in July 2026.
On July 24, 2026, former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel was appointed as Belgium's new head coach, with his tenure beginning on August 15, 2026, and a contract extending through Euro 2028. Van Bommel's first competitive matches came in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. Belgium secured a 2-0 away victory against Italy on September 25, 2026, but then suffered a 1-0 home defeat to France on September 28, 2026, with Michael Olise scoring a late winner. The team is currently ranked 8th in the FIFA World Rankings as of July 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Belgium National Football Team made different choices?