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The Royal Belgian Football Association announced the move in a statement published on its official website, tasking van Bommel with building on the Red Devils’ competitive showings in recent major tournaments. The former Netherlands international succeeds Garcia, who oversaw Belgium’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals before departing earlier this week. According to match records compiled by ESPN, Belgium opened the tournament with a 5-1 group win over New Zealand, advanced past Senegal 3-2 after extra time and then eliminated the United States 4-1 in the round of 16.
FIFA tournament data shows that Spain ended Belgium’s campaign with a 2-1 quarterfinal victory in Inglewood, California, before Spain defeated Argentina in the final to claim the title. The Belgian FA’s statement highlighted van Bommel’s prior success within the domestic game, noting that Belgian Pro League records list him as the coach who guided Royal Antwerp to the 2022-23 championship. That title win came during a two-year spell that also produced strong European performances for the club.
Van Bommel’s playing pedigree includes 79 caps for the Netherlands, where he captained the side, along with club careers at PSV Eindhoven, Bayern Munich and AC Milan that yielded multiple domestic and continental honors. His coaching path began in the PSV youth setup before he assumed the senior role there from 2018 to 2021, securing the KNVB Cup in his first full season. The appointment therefore represents a homecoming of sorts to Belgian football, where he established a reputation for disciplined, attacking setups at Antwerp.
The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, marked the latest chapter in Belgium’s sustained presence among Europe’s elite, following a third-place finish at the 2018 tournament in Russia. Under Garcia the squad demonstrated depth in knockout stages even as its golden generation continued to age, with several key performers from the 2018 side still contributing in 2026. A statement from the association indicated that van Bommel’s brief will include refreshing the roster while maintaining the tactical cohesion that carried the team through a challenging draw.
With the contract locked in until 2028, van Bommel will prepare the side for the next European Championship cycle and the qualifying campaign for the 2030 World Cup. The association’s announcement noted that further details on his technical staff would follow in the coming days. FIFA rankings have consistently placed Belgium inside the world’s top 10 over the past decade, providing a solid platform for the incoming coach as he begins his tenure.
