Tessa Wullaert calls for the Icelandic coach to stay after Red Flames' elimination

As the Red Flames see their World Cup dreams fade after the penalty shoot‑out in Poland, captain Tessa Wullaert reaffirms her support for the Icelandic coach, hoping she will remain at the helm of the Belgian side.

Debrief of the elimination

Stijn Audooren describes Wednesday's hangover as “big”, recalling that the setback came from an unconvincing first leg in Gdansk, where the Red Flames had not built a decisive lead. The loss on penalties ended the qualification campaign at the first round of the playoffs.

According to the debrief, the lack of success in the first leg was the main factor in the elimination, leaving Belgium out of the World Cup picture. The question of the future of the Icelandic coach, Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, now arises in Tubize this week.

Reactions and prospects

Nathalie Dumont, voice of Belgian sport, emphasized that the decision to keep the coach or not lies with the officials, recalling that the Icelander has amassed eleven wins, three draws and nine defeats in a year and a half, a record considered positive by some.

Poland eliminates the Red Flames and plunges Belgium into uncertainty

Detractors point to the lack of achieved objectives – no return to League A, no Top 8 at the Euros, no World Cup – but Tessa Wullaert does not share this view. “I sincerely hope she stays. We all support her,” the captain said, emphasizing that the team wins and loses together and that progress will not happen overnight.

Wullaert added that, as Belgians, “we never give up” and that the group must continue to work to improve. She also mentioned the next international window at the end of November – early December, when the Red Flames will likely have to play a friendly match, possibly under Gunnarsdottir’s direction.

Janice Cayman advocates for the coach’s presence at this appointment, while the most‑capped captain, Tessa Wullaert, highlights the team’s huge potential and the youngsters’ ability to shine under the current leadership.

Red Flames see their 2027 World Cup dream fade away

The staff, according to Wullaert, does an excellent job developing the group, and she remains very optimistic despite the “great missed opportunity”. The debate over the national team’s future continues, but the star player’s support shows that the desire for stability persists within Belgian football.