Hervé Renard has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team less than two months before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, in a surprising decision that raises questions about the team’s preparation for the tournament.
The 57-year-old Frenchman confirmed the news himself on Friday, acknowledging that he had been dismissed from his position just weeks before the global showpiece kicks off in North America. Renard, who returned to the Saudi bench in late 2024 for a second time, had successfully guided the team to World Cup qualification.
Speaking to AFP, Renard reacted with resignation: “That’s football… Saudi Arabia has qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me. And there’s only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup, that’s me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride.”
Renard’s departure marks the end of a turbulent cycle. After an initial stint between 2019 and 2023, he briefly left to coach the French women’s national team before being recalled following the dismissal of Roberto Mancini. His return was intended to restore stability, but the collaboration has now ended abruptly.
Despite this setback, Renard leaves behind a notable legacy. A two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Ivory Coast, he also led Saudi Arabia to one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history: a 2-1 victory over Argentina in the 2022 edition.
Saudi Arabia now faces an urgent race against time to appoint a successor ahead of the tournament. According to AFP Georgios Donis is among the leading candidates, with negotiations reportedly underway.
Placed in a challenging Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia’s immediate focus will be on regaining stability before the competition begins. The sudden managerial change, however, adds uncertainty at a critical moment for a team aiming to build on its recent progress.
