French coach Hervé Renard has been dismissed as head coach of Saudi Arabia's national football team, he confirmed to AFP on Friday, with the 2026 World Cup (co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico) just weeks away. Renard, 57, had returned for a second stint in charge of the Saudi side in late 2024, having previously guided the team to a shock group-stage victory over eventual champions Argentina at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The timing of the dismissal raises significant questions about Saudi Arabia's preparations for the tournament, which kicks off in mid-June.