Saudi Arabia has dismissed head coach Hervé Renard just weeks before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which kicks off in North America in June. The French coach, 57, confirmed the news to AFP on Friday, saying simply: "That's football." The sacking comes despite Renard having successfully guided the Green Falcons through qualifying for the tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Renard had been in charge of Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 during his first spell, during which he led the team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar — a tournament remembered in part for Saudi Arabia's stunning 2-1 group-stage victory over eventual champions Argentina. He then took charge of the French women's national team, reaching the quarterfinals of both the 2023 Women's World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics, before returning to Saudi Arabia in late 2024 to replace Italian coach Roberto Mancini, who had left after an underwhelming 14-month stint that included a 2-0 home defeat to Japan in qualifying. Renard's contract had been set to run for two years, through the post-tournament period. His dismissal follows two heavy friendly defeats in the March international window — a 4-0 loss to Egypt and a 2-1 defeat to Serbia — which appear to have hastened the decision.
Renard is one of African football's most decorated coaches, having won the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) twice — with Zambia in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015 — and also previously managed Morocco. He reflected on his record with quiet defiance: "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."
Former Greece international Georgios Donis, currently in charge of Saudi club Al Khaleej in the Saudi Pro League, is reportedly being lined up as his replacement, with talks said to be under way between the federation and the club. Saudi Arabia face a formidable draw in Group H at the 2026 World Cup, pitted against two former world champions in Spain and Uruguay, as well as debutants Cape Verde, with all their group games scheduled to be played in the United States.
The timing of the dismissal raises questions about preparation and stability ahead of a major tournament. Saudi Arabia, which made its first World Cup appearance in 1994 — reaching the round of 16 in that edition — will be making its seventh appearance overall and third consecutive. The country is also set to host the 2034 World Cup, making the development of a competitive national team a matter of significant national priority. Whoever takes charge will have very little time to prepare before the tournament begins.