The proximity of World Cup 2026 did not prevent a drastic change on the bench Saudi Arabia. French coach Hervé Renard was dismissed from his position with immediate effect, in a decision that came about after weeks of uncertainty and adverse results in the team’s performance.
Get 20% off UEFA Champions League broadcasts in Spanish on DAZN.
According to the media RMC Sportthe 57-year-old coach was notified this Friday of his departure, leaving him out of the project just two months before the start of the season. World Cup. The measure was taken in a context of increasing pressure on the team, which arrived with doubts after a series of negative performances.
🚨 OFFICIAL: Saudi Arabia sack head coach Hervé Renard with quick cease earlier than World Cup! 👋🏼🇸🇦
Renard had returned for a 2d spell as Saudi coach on the stop of 2024. pic.twitter.com/yhwU0OMAkS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 17, 2026
The team came from an unfavorable FIFA date, with defeats against Egypt (4-0) and Serbia (2-1), results that impacted the internal assessment of the process. Added to this was the elimination in the Arab Cup semi-finals against Jordanan episode that had already weakened the technician’s position within the structure.
Unofficially, it is mentioned that Renard will receive compensation close to 5 million euros after his departure.
A cycle marked by contrasts and the search for replacement
The coach’s departure comes at a key stage for the Saudi national team, which is in full preparation for the World Cup. The team was framed in the Group H together with Uruguay, Spain and Cape Verde, a demanding calendar that increases the relevance of the change of leadership so soon after the debut.
During his cycle, Renard starred in one of the most memorable moments in recent football by leading Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 victory against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a result that marked his time with the national team and positioned him on the international scene. Days later, they would fall 1-2 against Mexico in that same group.
In the qualifying process towards 2026, the team’s path was irregular. Saudi Arabia finished in second position in its group in one of the phases, which forced it to compete in additional instances to seek its place in the tournament. In the next round, they managed to beat Indonesia 3-2 and then drew goalless against Iraq, a result that allowed them to advance thanks to goal difference.
Uncertainty about his continuity had been established since the end of March, when some reports indicated that the friendly match against Serbia could have been his last appearance. Renard himself, after that meeting in Belgrade, had pointed out that He had no official confirmation about his situation, although the decision was finally made.
Regarding his possible replacement, alternatives were mentioned such as Walid Regragui, Morocco’s royal coach. However, journalist Fabrizio Romano indicated that the German Georgios Donis, coach of Al Khaleej, would be announced shortly as the new head of the team.
Renard, who returned to the position at the end of 2024 for a second cycle, had an outstanding career, including winning the African Cup of Nations with Zambia in 2012 and with Ivory Coast in 2015.
Keep reading:
· Messi buys a Spanish soccer team
· Santiago Giménez analyzes his possible call to the 2026 World Cup
· Falls before the World Cup: Hugo Ekitike suffers a rupture of his Achilles tendon
