Mark van Bommel is expected to become the new head coach of the Belgian national football team, replacing Rudi Garcia, according to multiple Belgian media reports and transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The 49-year-old Dutchman, who has been without a club since leaving Royal Antwerp in summer 2024, has reached a full agreement with the Belgian football association on a contract that will run until the end of the 2028 European Championship, though final paperwork has yet to be signed.

Garcia's departure was announced by the Belgian federation on the Monday after the World Cup final, despite having led Belgium to the quarter-finals of the 2026 tournament. There, the Red Devils lost 1-2 to Spain, who went on to win the title. According to Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws, Garcia's relationship with several players had become strained, and technical director Vincent Mannaert was reportedly dissatisfied with the team's performances during the group stage, particularly against Egypt (1-1) and Iran (0-0). The same source indicated that the federation was seeking a younger, more modern coach than the 62-year-old Garcia.

Van Bommel, a former Netherlands international and runner-up at the 2010 World Cup, brings managerial experience from PSV Eindhoven, VfL Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp. At Antwerp, he won the Belgian league and cup double in the 2022-23 season. Belgian newspaper Nieuwsblad reported that the federation sees van Bommel as a tactically strong coach and a leader who can guide the national team into a new cycle. However, the same report noted that van Bommel does not speak French, one of Belgium's three official languages.

The official announcement is expected once the final paperwork is completed, with van Bommel set to begin preparations for qualification for Euro 2028.