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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered breathtaking goals, dramatic upsets and unforgettable moments on the pitch, but away from the action, the tournament has also triggered a wave of managerial departures as football associations quickly respond to disappointing campaigns.
With expectations higher than ever for the first 48-team World Cup, several national team coaches have resigned or been sacked following early exits, underscoring the cutthroat nature of international football where success is often measured solely by results. Project reports
From Europe to Africa and Asia, coaches who arrived at the tournament with lofty ambitions saw their tenures end abruptly after failing to meet the expectations of their soccer-loving nations.
Koeman becomes the latest high-profile victim
The latest managerial casualty is Netherlands coach Ronald Koeman, who resigned after his country’s shock elimination in the round of 32 at the hands of Morocco.
The Dutch, widely tipped as one of the pre-tournament favourites, suffered a painful penalty defeat after a fiercely contested match, bringing an unexpected end to their World Cup journey.
In announcing his resignation, Koeman accepted responsibility for a disappointing season and described the decision as one of the most difficult of his coaching career. He also revealed that personal circumstances, including his wife’s illness, influenced his decision to step down from the role after the tournament.
His departure marked another significant World Cup coaching change, with the Dutch Football Association now expected to begin their search for a successor ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches.
Tunisia acted first
Tunisia became the first nation to part ways with their coach during the tournament after sacking Sabri Lamouchi following a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F match.
The Tunisian Football Federation has moved quickly to appoint experienced French coach Hervé Renard for the remainder of the tournament in a bid to revive the Eagles of Carthage’s season. Despite the managerial change, Tunisia failed to recover sufficiently to get past the group stage.
Lamouchi’s sacking highlighted the intense pressure national coaches face at major tournaments, where a single poor result can prove decisive.
Scotland bids farewell to Clarke
Scotland have also joined the growing list of countries making managerial changes after Steve Clarke resigned following the nation’s group stage elimination.
Although Clarke had recently signed a new long-term contract, he chose to end his seven-year spell in charge after Scotland’s hopes of reaching the knockout stages were extinguished.
His resignation brought to an end one of the most successful managerial eras in modern Scottish football. During his tenure, Clarke led Scotland back to major international tournaments and ended the country’s 28-year absence from the FIFA World Cup.
The Scottish Football Association paid tribute to the 62-year-old, recognizing his contribution to the rebuilding of the national team despite a disappointing World Cup season.
South Korea begins another reconstruction
South Korea also entered a new chapter after coach Hong Myung-bo resigned less than 24 hours after the country was eliminated from the group stage.
The former national team captain took full responsibility for the disappointing season and apologized to fans before announcing his departure.
Hong’s resignation came amid growing criticism from football stakeholders and public officials following South Korea’s failure to qualify for the knockout stages despite the expanded tournament format, which offered additional qualification opportunities for top third-placed teams.
His exit marked the end of his second stint in charge of the Taeguk Warriors, after also overseeing the country’s ill-fated 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign.
A World Cup pressure unlike any other
The departures of the managers demonstrate once again the enormous pressure associated with FIFA World Cup training.
Unlike club football, where coaches often have an entire season to recover from setbacks, international coaches are often judged on a handful of games played every four years.
Football analysts note that while tactical decisions, player selection and preparation remain key, the outcome of a single match can ultimately determine a manager’s future.
The expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams has done little to reduce expectations. Instead, many football associations now view progress beyond the group stage as the minimum acceptable objective, making early elimination increasingly difficult to defend.
Further changes may follow
With the tournament now entering the decisive knockout phase, observers believe the list of managerial departures could continue to grow.
Traditional football powerhouses such as Brazil, France, Argentina, Spain and England remain under enormous pressure to justify their status as title contenders, while any unexpected elimination could lead to further reviews by their respective football associations.
History has shown that the World Cup often marks the end of coaching cycles, regardless of previous results, as federations look to start rebuilding immediately after the disappointment.
As the race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy intensifies, the tournament has already reinforced an enduring reality of international football: While players often enjoy another opportunity to redeem themselves, national team coaches are usually the first to pay the price when expectations aren’t met.
