The “Thamania” network confirmed that Hervé Renard will remain as coach of the Saudi national team until the 2026 World Cup, despite the significant criticism he has faced since the qualifiers, which intensified after the 2025 Arab Cup.
The Saudi national team suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat against Egypt in a friendly match in Jeddah on Friday, sparking a wave of criticism against Renard and calls for his immediate dismissal and exclusion from leading the Green Falcons in the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
According to the latest report, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation is committed to Renard’s continued tenure and is not overly concerned by the current public pressure. Officials are confident in the French coach’s ability to turn things around and deliver a strong performance at the World Cup.
The network explained that the process for dismissing a coach within the federation is governed by procedures that take time. It typically requires a lengthy evaluation and review period. If a decision is expedited, it can take a minimum of one to ten days, unless the federation president intervenes and signs the dismissal order directly. Even if Saudi Arabia loses to Serbia on Tuesday, the Saudi Football Federation has no intention of sacking Hervé Renard.
While public pressure will certainly be a factor, Renard’s departure just two months before the 2026 World Cup, coupled with the lack of an immediate replacement, makes his continued presence the most logical option at present.
It’s worth noting that Renard led Saudi Arabia to a historic 2-1 victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, before losing to Poland and Mexico and being eliminated in the group stage. He then left to coach the French women’s national team before returning for a second stint, succeeding Roberto Mancini, approximately a year ago.
