Chile Coach Gareca Resigns After World Cup Qualification Failure

Chile's national football team has been officially eliminated from qualifying for the 2026 World Cup following a 2-0 loss to Bolivia, marking the third consecutive tournament they will miss. In response to this disappointing outcome, head coach Ricardo Gareca announced his resignation, acknowledging the team's poor results and the challenging situation. Gareca's tenure, which began in early 2024, saw just one win in 13 official matches, including Copa America and qualifier games. Chile currently sits at the bottom of the South American qualifying table with only 10 points and two games remaining. The Chilean football federation president Pablo Milad confirmed that an interim coach will lead the team for the remaining matches while a general manager and external advisors are sought to plan the future. Veteran player Arturo Vidal, suspended for the Bolivia match, expressed a calm, reflective presence amidst the turmoil, highlighting the need for rebuilding both on and off the field.