Various sources have confirmed that Hervé Renard will remain in his position as coach of the Saudi national team and will lead the Green Falcons during the 2026 World Cup.
The French coach has faced harsh criticism recently following a 4-0 friendly defeat to Egypt and a subsequent 2-1 loss to Serbia, especially since the performance in both matches fell short of expectations, just two and a half months before the start of the World Cup.
Some reports, most notably from the French newspaper L’Équipe, suggest that Renard himself wants to leave Saudi Arabia. He is reportedly dissatisfied with the way things are going in the Saudi Professional League and believes that the policy of relying on foreign players has significantly harmed the local talent within the national team.
According to the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, these reports are completely unfounded. Renard does not want to leave Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi Arabian Football Federation is adamant about his continued presence, refusing to take any risks with the coach just days before the 2026 World Cup.
At the same time, Renard enjoys the unanimous support of all the Saudi national team players, which strengthens the Federation’s position of completely rejecting his dismissal and its confidence that the French coach is capable of turning things around in the upcoming World Cup.
It is said that Renard has already rejected a lucrative offer from the Ghanaian national team to take charge of the “Black Stars” after the dismissal of Otto Addo, preferring to honor his contract with the Saudi national team, which extends until the 2027 Asian Cup, scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia.
It is worth noting that the World Cup draw placed the Saudi national team alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde in the group stage.
