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Twelve national team coaches left their posts after their teams were eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, either through resignation or dismissal by their federations.
The departures followed a mix of underwhelming results, tactical criticism and pressure from national federations across the tournament.
Uruguay entered the 2026 World Cup under Marcelo Bielsa with high expectations but fell short of the round of 16 despite a squad built around several established players.
The team struggled to convert chances in the group stage and was eliminated before reaching the knockout rounds.
Bielsa's fast, aggressive style drew attention at times, but the team's finishing and defensive lapses were criticized throughout the tournament.
Uruguay conceded costly goals during the group stage, and a 2-2 draw with tournament surprise package Cape Verde intensified scrutiny of the veteran coach. Bielsa took responsibility for the result and left his post after the tournament.
South Korea posted an inconsistent record under Hong Myung-bo, with the Asian representative showing flashes of effective play but failing to advance beyond the group stage.
Contributions from key attacking players fell short of expectations, and defensive issues drew criticism of the coaching staff.
Hong Myung-bo stepped down following pressure after South Korea's group-stage elimination.
Czechia faced a difficult group, opening the tournament with a 2-1 loss to South Korea. A draw with South Africa and a 3-0 defeat to Mexico followed, leaving the team with a single point and an early exit.
Koubek left his position after the tournament amid media pressure and unmet expectations, with Czechia among the teams eliminated at the group stage.
Tunisia opened the tournament with a heavy 5-1 defeat to Sweden. The federation dismissed Lamouchi within a day of the result, appointing French coach Herve Renard as his replacement.
Under Renard, Tunisia lost 4-0 to Japan and 3-1 to the Netherlands, finishing the group stage with a minus-10 goal difference.
Germany competed under Julian Nagelsmann with high expectations, finishing atop its group with six points.
Despite topping its group, Germany was eliminated in the round of 32 on penalties by Paraguay.
Following the Paraguay defeat, Nagelsmann said, "I am not someone who runs away," indicating he intended to remain in the role.
However, at a meeting held at the German Football Association's headquarters in Frankfurt, federation leadership requested his resignation. The 38-year-old coach resigned from the position following the disappointment and pressure that followed.
Germany had failed to advance past the group stage in 2018 and 2022, and despite topping its group in 2026, was eliminated in the round of 32.
The Netherlands delivered a steady performance under Ronald Koeman, finishing first in its group to reach the round of 32. The team was unable to maintain its form in the knockout stage, losing to Morocco on penalties after extra time.
The Netherlands struggled to hold leads in later matches against stronger opponents, and Koeman left his position after the tournament.
Ecuador emerged as one of the tournament's more competitive sides under Sebastian Beccacece, playing disciplined football through the group stage.
The team handed Germany its only group-stage defeat and drew with World Cup debutant Curacao, finishing as one of the best third-place teams to advance.
Ecuador was eliminated in the round of 32 with a 2-0 loss to Mexico. Beccacece left his role after the tournament, having delivered a notable run for the Ecuadorian program.
Zlatko Dalic, one of the most successful coaches in Croatian football history, led the national team for nine years, including a runner-up finish at the 2018 World Cup and a third-place finish at the 2022 World Cup.
He also guided Croatia to a silver medal after the team reached the final of the 2023 UEFA Nations League.
In what was Luka Modric's final World Cup appearance, Croatia finished second in its group to reach the round of 32 but was eliminated 2-1 by Portugal.
Although the team's stated goals were a semifinal or final appearance, it fell short of that target. Dalic stepped down following the tournament, closing out a tenure marked by sustained success.
Portugal, fielding a squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo, entered the tournament among the favorites but did not reach its target.
A draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo drew criticism of Martinez's team, and while Portugal beat Uzbekistan 5-0 in its next match, a draw with Colombia cost it the group's top spot.
Portugal eliminated Croatia in the round of 32 before falling to Spain on a late goal in the round of 16. Martinez left his position after the team fell short of its championship ambitions.
Scotland, drawn into a group with Morocco and Brazil, managed a single win against Haiti and did not qualify as one of the best third-place teams, exiting the tournament early. Clarke left his position by his own decision following the tournament.
Carlos Queiroz led Ghana through its World Cup campaign, opening with a 1-0 win over Panama. Despite the strong start, a scoreless draw with England and a loss to Croatia left Ghana to advance as one of the best third-place teams.
Ghana was eliminated in the round of 32 by Colombia, and Queiroz parted ways with the federation after the tournament.
Senegal entered the tournament as one of Africa's hopeful sides. Despite a 3-1 loss to France and a 3-2 defeat to Norway, a 5-0 win over Iraq helped the team advance as one of the best third-place finishers.
Senegal was eliminated in the round of 32 after a 3-2 extra-time loss to Belgium. Following the result, the federation opted for a coaching change, parting ways with Thiaw after the tournament.
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