Belgium’s head coach Rudi Garcia faces growing scrutiny following his decision to substitute goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the World Cup quarter-final defeat against Spain on July 7. The move, widely questioned by experts and supporters, has intensified debate over Garcia’s future with the national team as his contract approaches its expiration at the end of the month.

Courtois, Belgium’s first-choice goalkeeper, was replaced in the 71st minute after experiencing a leg twinge. Despite Courtois indicating he felt capable of continuing, Garcia opted to bring on Senne Lammens. The substitution proved costly when Lammens mishandled a low shot by Pau Cubarsi, allowing Spain’s Mikel Merino to score the winning goal in the 86th minute, sealing a 2-1 victory for Spain.

The decision sparked criticism from Belgian analysts, including commentator Peter Vandenbempt, who described the substitution as “astonishing” and questioned the coach’s rigid adherence to physical fitness criteria. Vandenbempt argued that Courtois, widely regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, should have been trusted to assess his own capacity to play. Garcia defended his choice, emphasizing a philosophy that only fully fit players are fielded during the tournament. He explained that preserving Courtois’s fitness was necessary to maintain effective long-ball distribution to forwards Charles De Ketelaere and Romelu Lukaku and to prevent aggravating the injury.

Garcia’s tenure began in early 2025 with the challenge of reinvigorating the Belgian team after the previous coach Domenico Tedesco’s spell, which was widely described as toxic and soulless. The French coach’s initial objectives — maintaining Belgium’s status in the top tier of the UEFA Nations League and securing World Cup qualification — were achieved. Belgium progressed to the tournament’s last eight, aligning with Garcia’s stated goals. Over 20 matches, his record stands at 12 wins, six draws, and two losses.

Despite reaching these targets, Garcia’s management style and tactical decisions, including substitutions, have generated considerable debate. The narrow World Cup exit, coupled with a generally inconsistent campaign marked by draws against Egypt and Iran and a close call against Senegal in the Round of 16, added to the questions surrounding his leadership. During the Senegal match, critics noted controversial substitutions and the team’s recovery, which some attributed more to Senegal’s defensive errors than tactical ingenuity.

Nevertheless, Garcia’s tenure also featured notable successes, including a commanding 4-1 victory over co-host the United States and the integration of younger players such as Nathan Ngoy and Nicolas Raskin, who impressed on the world stage.

With his contract concluding shortly, Belgian football authorities face a pivotal decision on whether Garcia is the right figure to guide the team’s preparations for the 2028 European Championship. His future will likely be influenced by assessments of both his strategic decisions during the World Cup and his broader record in revitalizing Belgian football.