Here are the head coaches of countries participating at the 2026 World Cup who resigned or have been sacked.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has been a tournament of high-stakes drama, where the intense pressure of the global stage has already taken a heavy toll on several technical benches.
For many national teams, failing to meet lofty expectations or crashing out in the early stages has led to immediate consequences.
The margins for error at this level are razor-thin, and federations have shown little patience, resulting in swift dismissals and abrupt ends to managerial tenures after disappointing results.
At the same time, the conclusion of a tournament cycle brings a natural moment of reflection, prompting several tacticians to walk away on their own terms. Whether taking accountability for an early group-stage exit or bowing out gracefully at the expiration of their contracts after a knockout blow, these managers have chosen to step down and usher in a new era for their respective teams.
The tournament continues to serve as a stark reminder of just how volatile international management can be when the entire world is watching.
Here are the head coaches who have willingly resigned or have been sacked following their performance at the 2026 World Cup.
| Coach | Country | Status | Reason / Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sabri Lamouchi | Tunisia | Sacked | Dismissed after just one group-stage match following a heavy 1-5 defeat to Sweden. |
| Steve Clarke | Scotland | Resigned | Stepped down immediately following Scotland’s group-stage exit (3rd in Group C). |
| Miroslav Koubek | Czechia | Resigned | Departed by mutual agreement after finishing bottom of Group A with just 1 point. |
| Hong Myung-bo | South Korea | Resigned | Stepped down and issued a public apology following the team’s elimination. |
| Sebastián Beccacece | Ecuador | Resigned | Stepped down immediately following Ecuador’s 2-0 Round of 32 loss to Mexico. |