Sports
FIFA W’Cup: Saudi Arabia fires Renard as Head Coach
French coach Hervé Renard has confirmed he has been relieved of his role as head coach of Saudi Arabia, just weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Renard, 57, made the disclosure on Friday in an interview with AFP, bringing an abrupt end to his second stint with the national team, which began in late 2024.
He previously led Saudi Arabia at the last World Cup in Qatar, where his side stunned eventual champions Argentina with a famous group-stage victory—one of the biggest upsets in tournament history.
His exit now raises fresh concerns about the team’s preparation ahead of the global competition.
“That’s football… Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me,” Renard told AFP via telephone.
“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.”
Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Ivory Coast, led Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
He served as coach of the France women’s team and reached the quarter-finals of both the 2023 Women’s World Cup and 2024 Olympics.
Renard was later brought back by Saudi Arabia to succeed Mancini as the Italian left his role after an underwhelming 14-month stint.
Former Greece international Georgios Donis is reportedly being lined up as the man to take over from Renard.
A source close to the negotiations told AFP that talks are under way between the federation and Saudi club Al Khaleej, where Donis has been in charge since 2024.
Saudi Arabia will face Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde in Group H at this year’s World Cup.
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