Why are coaches quitting after FIFA 2026 World Cup exits? Here's what happened

The FIFA 2026 World Cup has sparked a growing coaching shake-up, with national teams making swift managerial changes following disappointing campaigns. From resignations to sackings, several head coaches have already paid the price as their countries failed to meet expectations in North America.

Netherlands and Ecuador coaches resign after knockout exits

The Netherlands became one of the first teams to lose their head coach after crashing out in the Round of 32 to Morocco on penalties.

Ronald Koeman initially struck a defiant tone following the defeat but later confirmed he had resigned.

'I decided on Monday night to resign as head coach of the Netherlands national team. We had big dreams for this World Cup. We wanted to create history, but we couldn't achieve that. No one is more disappointed than I am. As head coach, I take full responsibility,' Koeman said.

Ecuador's World Cup journey also ended in the Round of 32 after a 2-0 defeat to Mexico. Head coach Sebastián Beccacece confirmed that his contract had ended with the team's elimination.

'My contract ends with Ecuador's elimination from the World Cup. We wanted to achieve the country's best-ever World Cup finish. Today, it is time to say goodbye,' Beccacece said, adding that stepping aside was the right decision despite wanting to continue.

Czech Republic coach steps down

Miroslav Koubek also resigned as the Czech Republic head coach following a disappointing World Cup campaign. The Czechs finished bottom of Group A with just one point, earned from a draw against South Africa.

Koubek had guided the Czech Republic through a difficult European play-off route to qualify for their first World Cup since 2006.

However, after the early exit, he pointed to an exhausting travel schedule and player fatigue as contributing factors behind the team's underwhelming performances.

Tunisia sack Lamouchi after just one match

Tunisia became the first nation to dismiss a coach during the FIFA 2026 World Cup after a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Sweden in their opening group-stage match.

Sabri Lamouchi, who had taken charge only in January and oversaw just five matches, was sacked immediately after the defeat.

Former Saudi Arabia coach Herve Renard was appointed as his replacement, making Lamouchi the first coach in World Cup history to be dismissed after managing just one match at the finals.

Steve Clarke ends Scotland tenure

Scotland manager Steve Clarke also stepped down after his side failed to progress beyond the group stage in their first World Cup appearance in 28 years.

Scotland finished third in Group C with one win and two defeats but missed out on a Round of 32 place after failing to rank among the eight best third-placed teams.

'The most emotional part of this goodbye is for my players, without whom we wouldn't have had any of the memories that we've accumulated from 2019 until now,' Clarke said while announcing his departure.

With multiple coaching changes already confirmed and the tournament still underway, the FIFA 2026 World Cup is rapidly turning into one of the most turbulent editions for national team managers, as football federations move quickly to address disappointing results.