Domenico Tedesco was absent on Friday during the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. According to the Belgian federation, he was missing because the scheduled evaluation period has not yet been completed.
Domenico Tedesco's position as Belgium's head coach is under increasing scrutiny following a series of underwhelming results that have left fans and media questioning the national team’s direction.
Despite his relatively short tenure, which began in February 2023, expectations for Belgium remain sky-high given the country's reputation and its so-called "Golden Generation" of players. The failure to achieve convincing performances has placed Tedesco in an increasingly precarious position, with murmurs of change growing louder.
Belgian media outlets have been rife with speculation about potential successors. Among the names floated, Michel Preud'homme, a highly respected figure in Belgian football, has emerged as a leading candidate. Preud'homme, a former goalkeeper and coach, brings a wealth of experience and is widely regarded as someone who could stabilize the team. However, no official discussions or moves have been confirmed, leaving the situation open to interpretation and debate.
The uncertainty surrounding Tedesco was amplified on Friday when he was conspicuously absent during the draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. While such events are typically attended by national team coaches as a show of leadership and involvement, Tedesco's absence raised eyebrows and intensified speculation about his job security. Belgium was drawn into a relatively manageable group featuring Wales, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein, but the focus remained firmly on Tedesco’s future rather than the upcoming opponents.
Peter Willems, the CEO of the Belgian Football Federation, attempted to calm the growing speculation. In his statement to VTM, Willems insisted that Tedesco's absence was due to an ongoing evaluation period and not an indication of imminent dismissal. "Our head coach is not here because we are in an evaluation period. Together with Vincent Mannaert, our sporting director, we are assessing the situation carefully. We thought it would be better to conduct this process in a calm and private manner, keeping Domenico in the background for now. If there is any news, we will communicate it transparently," Willems explained.
Despite Willems' efforts to downplay the situation, the timing of the evaluation raises questions. Conducting such a review in the middle of a World Cup qualification cycle suggests that the federation is taking Belgium's recent results seriously. Tedesco's struggles in the UEFA Nations League, where the team failed to deliver consistent performances, have only compounded the pressure. The evaluation period may therefore serve as an opportunity for the federation to decide whether Tedesco is the right person to lead the team forward or if a fresh start is needed.
Willems also indicated that clarity regarding Tedesco's future may not come anytime soon. "I don’t think you should expect too much more this year," he said, suggesting that a decision will only be made after a comprehensive analysis of Belgium’s Nations League campaign. "We are taking our time to conduct a proper evaluation and make the right decision for the national team. These are critical moments for the future of Belgian football, and we do not want to rush into any conclusions."
The delay in determining Tedesco’s fate may frustrate fans who are eager for decisive action. For a team with Belgium’s pedigree, anything less than dominance in competitions like the Nations League and World Cup qualifiers is seen as a failure. Critics argue that Belgium’s recent form under Tedesco has lacked the identity and structure needed to compete with Europe’s elite.
Tedesco, a 38-year-old coach with a reputation for tactical ingenuity, took charge of the Belgian national team following stints at clubs such as RB Leipzig, Spartak Moscow, Schalke 04, and Erzgebirge Aue. His appointment was initially seen as a forward-thinking move, with hopes that his modern coaching methods would rejuvenate a Belgian squad in transition. However, his inability to harness the team’s talent into consistent results has cast doubt on his long-term suitability for the role.
For Tedesco, the challenge lies in striking the right balance between integrating younger players and managing the experienced core of the squad. Belgium's "Golden Generation," which includes stars like Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku, and Thibaut Courtois, has seen its window for success gradually closing. With age and injuries becoming factors, the need for a clear plan to transition into a new era has become urgent.
As the evaluation continues, attention will shift to Belgium’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers. The draw offers Belgium an opportunity to rebuild confidence and return to winning ways. While Wales poses a credible challenge, the remaining opponents North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Liechtenstein are teams Belgium would be expected to defeat comfortably. Success in these qualifiers could provide Tedesco with the lifeline he desperately needs, but failure to perform will likely bring his tenure to a swift end.
For now, Tedesco remains in limbo, with his future hanging in the balance. The Belgian federation’s decision to delay any announcements suggests a desire for careful consideration, but it also prolongs the uncertainty for players, staff, and supporters. Whether Tedesco can weather the storm and prove his doubters wrong remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking, and the pressure is mounting.
