World Cup
Managerial Earthquake: World Cup Exit Triggers Unprecedented Wave of Coaching Changes
BY KUNLE SOLAJA, Africa’s Most Capped World Cup Journalist
The 2026 FIFA World Cup may have produced unforgettable moments on the pitch, but away from the stadiums another drama unfolded with remarkable speed: the departure of national team coaches.
By the time the tournament reached its closing stages, no fewer than 13 national team managers had either resigned, been dismissed, or mutually agreed to leave their posts, making the North American World Cup one of the most turbulent tournaments for coaching positions in recent memory.
From European heavyweights Germany and the Netherlands to African representatives Ghana and Tunisia, the fallout from elimination proved swift and unforgiving as football federations began plotting new directions for the next cycle leading to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Euro 2028, and the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Big Names Fall
Among the most notable departures was Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann, whose tenure ended abruptly after the four-time world champions suffered a stunning Round of 32 penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay.
Germany’s exit was one of the biggest shocks of the tournament and ultimately cost Nagelsmann his position.
The Netherlands also entered the market for a new coach after Ronald Koeman stepped down following the Oranje’s dramatic penalty-shootout defeat to Morocco in the Round of 32.
Portugal’s Roberto Martínez resigned after a painful 1-0 loss to Iberian rivals Spain in the Round of 16, while Croatia’s Zlatko Dalić brought the curtain down on a highly successful nine-year spell after a 2-1 defeat to Portugal in the Round of 32.
South American football was not spared either. Marcelo Bielsa departed after Uruguay failed to progress beyond the group stage, while Sebastián Beccacece left Ecuador following their knockout defeat against Mexico.
African Teams Join the Coaching Shake-Up
Africa’s representatives contributed significantly to the post-World Cup coaching turnover.
Ghana’s Carlos Queiroz resigned after the Black Stars were eliminated by Colombia in the Round of 32, while Algeria parted ways with Vladimir Petković following defeat to Switzerland at the same stage.
South Korea’s Hong Myung-bo and Scotland’s Steve Clarke also stepped aside after disappointing group-stage exits.
Perhaps the most dramatic story emerged from Tunisia, where instability reached extraordinary levels.
Sabri Lamouchi became the first coach to lose his job after only one match at the World Cup when he was dismissed following Tunisia’s humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening Group F encounter.
The Tunisian Football Federation moved quickly to appoint veteran French coach Hervé Renard, hoping his extensive international experience could rescue the campaign. Instead, Tunisia’s problems deepened.
Renard oversaw a 4-0 defeat to Japan and a 3-1 loss to the Netherlands as Tunisia crashed out without a single point. Having conceded 12 goals in three matches, Tunisia established an unwanted World Cup record.
Only 18 days after accepting the job, Renard announced his departure. He possibly become the World Cup coach with the shortest tenure in history.
“My journey comes to an end,” the Frenchman wrote on social media while thanking the Tunisian Football Federation for the opportunity to participate in the World Cup.
His brief tenure added another chapter to the federation’s growing managerial instability. Tunisia will now search for its eighth national team coach since the beginning of 2024.
South Africa’s Success Still Ends in Departure
Not every managerial exit was linked to failure.
South Africa’s Hugo Broos stepped down after overseeing one of the greatest achievements in the nation’s football history.
The 74-year-old Belgian guided Bafana Bafana to the knockout stage of a World Cup for the first time ever before a narrow 1-0 Round of 16 defeat to Canada ended their remarkable journey.
Broos leaves having transformed South Africa into a competitive continental force since taking charge in 2021. Alongside the historic World Cup performance, he also guided the team to a third-place finish at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
South African football officials have indicated that Broos could remain involved in an advisory role, while former coach Pitso Mosimane has emerged as a leading candidate to take over the national team.
Senegal Planning for the Future
Another African nation expected to make a coaching decision in the coming weeks is Senegal.
Reports from France suggest Patrick Vieira has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Pape Thiaw following the Lions of Teranga’s World Cup exit.
The former France captain and 1998 World Cup winner would bring significant international pedigree despite never having managed a national team. His coaching résumé includes spells with New York City FC, Nice, Crystal Palace and Strasbourg.
Should the appointment materialise, Vieira would become the first French coach to lead Senegal since Alain Giresse and would inherit one of Africa’s most talented squads as preparations begin for the next African and global competitions.
A New Cycle Begins
The coaching upheaval highlights the relentless pressure associated with modern international football. World Cups occur only once every four years, leaving little room for patience when expectations are not met.
For some managers, such as Broos and Dalić, the departures represent the natural end of successful eras. For others, including Lamouchi, Nagelsmann and Koeman, the exits were direct consequences of disappointing results on football’s biggest stage.
With 13 coaching changes already confirmed and several federations still reviewing their World Cup performances, the managerial carousel is unlikely to stop spinning anytime soon.
As attention gradually shifts from the memories of World Cup 2026 to preparations for future tournaments, a new generation of national team coaches is set to take centre stage, tasked with rebuilding dreams that ended on the fields of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
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After more than two decades at the highest level of international football, Argentina captain Lionel Messi is preparing for a unique milestone when the reigning champions face England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals on Wednesday.
Remarkably, despite facing virtually every major football power during his illustrious career, Messi has never played against England at senior international level.
The highly anticipated showdown in Atlanta will therefore mark the first meeting between the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and the Three Lions.
Messi vs England: The Missing Opponent
Messi has faced fellow World Cup winners Brazil, Uruguay, Germany, Italy, Spain and France during his international career, but England has remained the notable exception.
The last time Argentina and England met was in a friendly in Geneva on November 12, 2005, which England won 3-2 after coming from behind through a Wayne Rooney strike and a Michael Owen brace.
Messi was absent from that encounter. Earlier that year, he had been sent off just 47 seconds into his senior Argentina debut against Hungary and was not part of the squad that travelled to Switzerland.
According to the Argentine Football Association (AFA), Wednesday’s semi-final is “the match fate owed Messi.”
World Cup Legacy Continues
The encounter comes as Messi continues to add to an already unmatched World Cup résumé.
Messi’s World Cup Records
- 32 World Cup appearances (all-time record)
- 15 knockout-stage appearances (all-time record)
- World Cup winner in Qatar 2022
- Appearing in his sixth World Cup
- Argentina unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup matches
Messi provided the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal in Argentina’s 3-1 extra-time quarter-final victory over Switzerland, although it was the first World Cup match in which he failed to score since Argentina’s 2-0 group-stage win over Poland at Qatar 2022.
Road to the Semi-finals
Argentina’s path to the last four has been far from straightforward.
The defending champions required extra time to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32 before producing a dramatic comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16, overturning a 2-0 deficit with only 11 minutes remaining to win 3-2.
Against Switzerland, Lionel Scaloni’s side again needed extra time before eventually prevailing 3-1.
Messi Looking Ahead
Following the victory over Switzerland, Messi acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge awaiting Argentina.
“It’s special because they’re a great team, a powerhouse, and it’s always nice to play a team like that, a match of this kind,” Messi said.
“We need to rest because we come from a lot of wear and tear, which the group obviously feels, and arrive in the best possible condition to keep doing what we’ve been doing: competing.”
Rivalry Renewed
Beyond Messi’s personal milestone, the match rekindles one of international football’s most storied rivalries.
Argentina and England have produced some of the World Cup’s most memorable contests, including the quarter-final at Mexico 1986 featuring Diego Maradona’s famous “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century,” as well as England’s penalty shootout victory at France 1998.
The latest chapter will carry added significance as Messi finally takes his place in a fixture that has shaped Argentine football history for generations.
Factfile: Lionel Messi vs England
- Age: 39
- Country: Argentina
- Senior Argentina debut: August 2005 vs Hungary
- Matches against England: 0
- First meeting: Expected in World Cup semi-final, July 15, 2026
- World Cup appearances: 32 (record)
- World Cup knockout appearances: 15 (record)
- World Cup titles: 1 (Qatar 2022)
- World Cups played: 6
- Current tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finalist
When Argentina and England meet in Atlanta, Messi will finally tick off the last major international opponent missing from one of football’s most complete careers.
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France and Spain will meet in a heavyweight World Cup semi-final showdown on July 14, with Les Bleus bidding to reach a third straight final and La Roja still in contention to follow their triumph at Euro 2024 by claiming the biggest prize of all.
Ahead of that game, AFP Sports looks at five of the best past encounters between the nations:
Arconada’s howler, France’s first title
1984 European Championship final: France 2 Spain 0
The first competitive meeting of the European neighbours came in Paris in the Euro 84 final, as a France team inspired by Michel Platini claimed their first major international title.
The game at the Parc des Princes hinged on a Platini free kick just before the hour mark which Spain goalkeeper Luis Arconada let squirm through his grasp and in to give France the lead.
It was Platini’s ninth goal in five games at the tournament, and set them on the way to victory. They had Yvon le Roux sent off late on but Bruno Bellone sealed their triumph.
France were European champions, and Spain would not reach another tournament final until they won Euro 2008.
French fightback in Hanover
2006 World Cup last 16: Spain 1 France 3
The only meeting of the teams at a World Cup before 2026 came in Germany in 2006, as they faced off in the last 16 in Hanover.
A strong Spain team topped their group with three wins out of three, while France laboured through as runners-up in their section, after being held by Switzerland and South Korea.
Spain went ahead through a David Villa penalty, but Franck Ribery equalised before half-time. Patrick Vieira then put France in front as extra time loomed, and Zinedine Zidane clinched the victory.
Raymond Domenech’s France ended up losing the final on penalties to Italy, while Spain were left bruised by another major tournament in which they fell short of their potential. La Roja bounced back to win the 2010 World Cup, though, in between back-to-back Euro triumphs in 2008 and 2012.
Mbappe wins Nations League
2021 UEFA Nations League final: Spain 1 France 2
There have been a series of meetings between the teams in a tournament context in recent years, beginning with the 2021 Nations League final in Milan.
In front of a restricted crowd due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Mikel Oyarzabal gave Luis Enrique’s Spain the lead just after the hour mark.
Karim Benzema, the Real Madrid striker who had recently been brought back into the international fold after over five years in the wilderness, equalised from Kylian Mbappe’s assist. Mbappe then grabbed the winner as France won the second title of Didier Deschamps’ reign as coach, after the 2018 World Cup.
Yamal’s stunner
Euro 2024 semi-final: Spain 2 France 1
The France team at Euro 2024 was different to the side that has lit up this World Cup. They reached the last four by scoring three goals in five games – one was a penalty, the other two were own goals.
Randal Kolo Muani became the first France player to score in open play at the tournament when he gave them the lead early in the semi-final against Spain in Munich.
But Lamine Yamal equalised with a wonderful strike, four days before his 17th birthday. Dani Olmo scored the winner a few minutes later, and Spain went on to defeat England in the final.
Nine-goal thriller
2025 UEFA Nations League semi-final: Spain 5 France 4
France had started their transformation into a much more exciting team when the sides last met, in the Nations League semi-finals in June 2025 in Stuttgart.
Spain were 4-0 up early in the second half thanks to goals by Nico Williams, Mikel Merino, a Yamal penalty, and Pedri.
Mbappe pulled one back from the spot, but Yamal got Spain’s fifth, before France rallied and strikes by Rayan Cherki and Kolo Muani either side of a Dani Vivian own goal made the scoreline more respectable.
Spain went on to lose the final on penalties to Portugal. Spain also won 5-3 in the gold medal match at the 2024 Olympics – Manu Kone, Michael Olise, Jean-Philippe Mateta, Desire Doue, Cherki, Pau Cubarsi and Alex Baena all played in that game, and are in line to feature this time too.
-AFP
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- Summary
- FIFA will examine the issue in committees after this World Cup
- A 64-team format would create 16 groups of four teams
- Longer tournaments and logistics could limit the number of potential hosts
- Infantino defends ticket prices and hydration breaks
Any further expansion of the World Cup, increasing the number of teams participating at the finals to 64, will be discussed after this year’s edition, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said without providing any details.
The 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States have seen 48 teams for the first time, a decision that was heavily criticised but which has not provoked much debate since the tournament kicked off on June 11.
“These are all issues that we will be examining after the World Cup,” Infantino, who successfully pushed for the expansion of the finals from 32 teams, told Swiss television outlet Blue Sport.
He did not elaborate, saying only: “I think it is important that when you want to tilizat a World Cup, you do it for the whole world — not just Europe and South America, but effectively the entire world.
“Every nation should be allowed to dream of participating in the World Cup. You can see that the quality of the teams is extremely high and it’s getting higher and higher, all over the world.
“If you don’t give smaller countries a chance to participate in the World Cup, they’ll lack the incentive to keep improving.”
Infantino hailed the 48-team tournament as a success, saying: “Every team played at a high level. Teams from every continent scored goals and earned at least one point.
“Nine out of 10 African teams reached the knockout stage. At the last World Cup, there were only five teams from Africa. That just goes to show how important it is to include all teams, to give them this opportunity to participate,” he added.
The size of the World Cup field was increased to 32 teams in 1998. The next finals in 2030 are to be co-hosted by Morocco, Portugal and Spain, and the 2034 tournament will be in Saudi Arabia.
INFANTINO DEFENDS HYDRATION BREAKS AND TICKET PRICES
Infantino, who rarely gives media interviews and has limited his number of formal press conferences, admitted that introducing hydration breaks during each half, which many have seen as a cynical attempt to help television partners get more advertising revenue, had proved controversial.
“This is a topic that sparks a lot of debate. After all, we don’t want to get everything perfect; we like to give everyone something to disagree with… no, joking aside. Last year, during the Club World Cup in the USA, there were cooling breaks whenever it was very hot.
“These short breaks occurred in about 60% of the matches but not in the other 40% because the temperature wasn’t as high. There were many complaints, as the feeling was that all teams should face the same conditions,” he said.
He also defended the high ticket prices at the World Cup, saying: “The stadiums are full; capacity tilization is at 99.7% and it will likely reach 99.9% by the end.
“Experts determined the ticket prices before the tournament. Our experts worked on that and told us: ‘These are the prices you can go with’. We see the proof now: prices that some people claimed were too high are being resold on the secondary market —which is perfectly legal here — for four or five times the original cost.”
Infantino said he expected FIFA to generate a total of 13 to 14 billion Swiss francs ($16.08 billion to $17.32 billion) from the 39-day World Cup. “That is quite satisfactory,” he said.
-Reuters
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