Saudi Arabia’s Football Federation has parted ways with head coach Hervé Renard, just 59 days before the national team’s opening fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The decision, confirmed by Renard himself to AFP on Friday, brings to an end his second stint at the helm of the Green Falcons and opens a new chapter of uncertainty heading into the tournament.
A Familiar Farewell
Renard, 57, returned to lead Saudi Arabia in October 2024 after a successful campaign with the French women’s national team, where he reached the quarter-finals of both the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics. His second appointment came after the federation chose not to renew the contract of Italian coach Roberto Mancini, whose 14-month tenure failed to deliver the results expected ahead of a home World Cup cycle.
“That’s football,” Renard told AFP following the announcement. “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.”
His first spell between 2019 and 2023 remains the most celebrated chapter of his Saudi career. It culminated in a shock 2-1 victory over eventual world champions Argentina at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, a result that reverberated across the global game and positioned Saudi Arabia’s national side as one to watch.
Georgios Donis Tipped to Take Over
With the squad needing immediate direction, former Greece international Georgios Donis has emerged as the frontrunner to step in as Renard’s replacement. According to a source close to the negotiations, talks are under way between the federation and Saudi Pro League club Al Khaleej, where Donis has been in charge since 2024. The federation is working to finalise the appointment with minimal disruption to the team’s remaining preparation schedule.
Saudi Arabia will compete in Group H at the 2026 World Cup alongside two former champions, Spain and Uruguay, as well as debutants Cape Verde. All group stage matches are set to be played across venues in the United States. The squad’s first game is scheduled for June 15 against Uruguay, giving any incoming coach just under two months to assess the squad, establish his methods, and build team cohesion.
A Nation Building Toward 2034
The timing of the coaching change adds a layer of complexity to a national programme already under considerable spotlight. Saudi Arabia was awarded the hosting rights for the 2034 FIFA World Cup, making the performance and development of the domestic football infrastructure a matter of national priority. Every tournament appearance between now and then carries added weight as the federation builds toward that defining moment.
Renard’s overall record across both spells leaves a legacy that goes beyond match results. He helped professionalise the environment around the national team, contributed to a new generation of Saudi footballers gaining international exposure, and delivered moments that captured global attention. The federation now faces the challenge of maintaining that momentum under new leadership, with the world watching.
