In a move that comes less than two months before the 2026 World Cup, Saudi Arabia has relieved 57‑year‑old coach Herve Renard of his duties. Renard, who returned to helm the national side at the end of 2024 after a previous spell from 2019 to 2023, was the only coach to guide the team through both the qualifiers and the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
Before rejoining the Saudis, Renard had steered France’s women’s team to the quarter‑finals of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, building on a decorated club‑coaching career that includes AFCON titles with Zambia and Ivory Coast.
Reports indicate that the federation is in talks with former Greece international Georgios Donis, who has been managing Al Khaleej since 2024, to take over the reins. Saudi Arabia will compete in Group H of the 2026 competition, facing Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde, all of whose matches will be played in the United States.
The Arab nation has appeared in six World Cups, achieving its best finish – a round of 16 spot – in 1994. Though they exited the 2022 edition in the group stage, they left a lasting impression with a 2‑1 victory over eventual champions Argentina.
Source: www.aljazeera.com
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