Mark van Bommel Set to Become New Belgium National Team Coach as Lukebakio and Debast Prepare for Euro 2028

Mark van Bommel, the former Dutch international and experienced coach, is set to become the new head coach of the Belgium national football team. This development follows the departure of Rudi Garcia, who left the role shortly after Belgium's exit in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.

The Belgian Football Federation has been in advanced negotiations with Van Bommel, with reports indicating that a contract extending until Euro 2028 is expected to be finalized soon. Van Bommel, 49, brings a wealth of experience from his playing days at top clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan, as well as from his managerial career.

Van Bommel’s coaching resume includes a successful spell at Antwerp, where he led the club to a historic double by winning both the Belgian league title and the national cup in 2023. Before that, he managed PSV Eindhoven for a season and a half and had a brief tenure at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. His appointment marks a swift resolution to the coaching vacancy, coming just over a week after Belgium's World Cup campaign ended against Spain.

For Belgian internationals like Dodi Lukebakio, currently with Benfica, and Joris Debast of Sporting, the arrival of Van Bommel presents a fresh opportunity to impress on the international stage. Both players were part of Belgium’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, although Debast was sidelined due to injury. With Euro 2028 on the horizon, the new coach’s selections and tactical approach will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.

The transition in coaching staff could influence Belgium’s strategy and squad dynamics as they prepare for upcoming international fixtures and qualification campaigns. Van Bommel’s experience and recent success at club level may provide a new direction for the team as they aim to build on their World Cup performance.

Looking ahead, the Belgian national team will focus on integrating Van Bommel’s vision and preparing for the next major tournament cycle. The official announcement of his appointment is anticipated soon, after which the team will begin preparations under his leadership, with players like Lukebakio and Debast eager to secure their places and contribute to Belgium’s ambitions in European and global competitions.