Key Takeaways:
- The Saudi Arabian Football Federation dismissed Hervé Renard as national team head coach just two months prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Renard leaves after his second spell in charge, having been reappointed at the end of 2024 and previously managed the team from 2019 to 2023
- Saudi Arabia, now seeking a new head coach, will compete in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde at the 2026 tournament
Managerial Shake-Up Ahead of Global Tournament
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation made the unexpected decision to remove Hervé Renard from his post as head coach just two months prior to the commencement of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The announcement, confirmed on Friday, means that the 57-year-old Frenchman will not be at the helm for the Green Falcons during the prestigious event.
Renard openly addressed his departure in comments to AFP, stating: “That’s football… Saudi Arabia have 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.”
🚨🚨 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘́ 𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗥𝗗 🇫🇷 𝗡'𝗘𝗦𝗧 𝗣𝗟𝗨𝗦 𝗟𝗘 𝗦𝗘́𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗨𝗥 𝗗𝗘 𝗟'𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗕𝗜𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗢𝗨𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗘 🇸🇦 !!! 👋
À deux mois et demi de la Coupe du monde, l'Arabie saoudite n’a plus de sélectionneur ! 😱
🗞️ @RMCsport pic.twitter.com/uolxNwBejN
— Actu Foot (@ActuFoot_) April 17, 2026
Coaching Tenure and Achievements
Returning to lead the national side at the end of 2024, Renard succeeded Roberto Mancini, who himself departed following a disappointing 14-month period in charge. Renard’s earlier spell, spanning from 2019 to 2023, saw Saudi Arabia claim a historic victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Boasting a decorated managerial record, Renard has lifted the Africa Cup of Nations trophy twice – with Zambia and Ivory Coast. He also guided the France women’s national team to the quarter-final stages at both the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games.
Search for New Leadership
The federation now face the urgent task of appointing a new manager before their World Cup campaign begins. Reports indicate that former Greece international Georgios Donis, currently managing Al Khaleej, has emerged as the prime candidate, with discussions ongoing between the football federation and his club.
2026 World Cup Prospects
Saudi Arabia have been placed in Group H for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face formidable opposition in Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde. With Renard’s departure, the team must adjust rapidly under new leadership as preparations intensify for the international showpiece.
Speculation has already turned to Renard’s future, amid suggestions linking him to the Ghana national football team job as the global managerial merry-go-round accelerates ahead of the next international cycle. He had been contracted with Saudi Arabia until 2027, leaving questions over both his next destination and the future direction of Saudi football.
