The Belgium women’s national football team missed out on qualification for the upcoming World Cup on Tuesday evening, falling 3-2 to Poland in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 aggregate draw in their playoff tie in Gdansk.
Penalty Shootout Heartbreak in Gdansk
Belgium arrived in Poland holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg in Leuven, courtesy of a tight home win on the preceding Friday. Tuesday’s return leg saw the hosts overturn that deficit through regular play, finishing regulation at 3-2 on the night and leveling the aggregate score. With the tie deadlocked, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout. Jarne Teulings and Luna Vanzeir both failed to convert their spot-kicks for Belgium, sealing the victory for Poland and ending the Red Flames’ World Cup hopes. Long-serving record international Janice Cayman, 38, left the pitch in tears, acknowledging after the match that she will now never play in a World Cup tournament.
“It does not lie in my hands,” Gunnarsdottir told reporters after the match regarding her coaching future. “Now disappointment prevails.”
The abrupt transition from Serneels to Gunnarsdottir
Gunnarsdottir took charge of the Red Flames in January 2025, succeeding Ives Serneels, who had spent fourteen years at the helm. Serneels had established the Red Flames brand by securing qualification for three consecutive European Championships, including a spot at the 2025 tournament in Switzerland. Plans had originally been laid for Serneels to step down following the tournament in Switzerland and transition into a role as technical director. Those plans shifted when newly appointed chief executive Peter Willems dismissed Serneels on the same day Rudi Garcia was introduced as coach of the men’s national team.
Leadership Changes and Immediate Uncertainty
The institutional backing that brought Gunnarsdottir to Belgium has since dissolved. Peter Willems left his position as CEO, and his successor, Vincent Mannaert, stated in a recent interview that reaching the World Cup represented the minimum requirement for the coaching staff. Following Tuesday’s elimination, the future of the 50-year-old Icelandic coach remains uncertain as the Belgian FA evaluates the direction of the national program.
