Herve Renard dismissed as Saudi Arabia coach ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Saudi Arabia has dismissed Herve Renard as the national football team manager less than two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to multiple reports. The Saudi Arabian Football Federation announced the immediate termination of Renard’s contract, which was originally set to last until 2027, ending his tenure ahead of the tournament where the team is drawn into Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde (MyJoyOnline, Tempo English).

Renard had returned to manage Saudi Arabia in 2024 after previously leading the team from 2019 to 2023, qualifying them for the upcoming World Cup. Despite guiding the team to a historic win over Argentina in the 2022 tournament, recent performances have been disappointing, prompting the federation to act (Vanguard Nigeria, The National UAE).

Recent poor results under Renard’s second spell included a 4-0 loss to Egypt and a 2-1 defeat against Serbia, which contributed to the decision to relieve him of his duties so close to the World Cup kickoff (The National UAE). The move marks a significant shift in the team’s preparations ahead of the international competition.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation is reportedly considering Georgios Donis as a potential replacement for Renard, with the aim of appointing a new coach rapidly to oversee the final stages of World Cup preparation (Vanguard Nigeria). The coaching change underscores the federation's desire to improve results and competitiveness in the tournament.

Observers will be watching closely to see who is named the new head coach and how quickly the team adapts to a new leadership style, as Saudi Arabia looks to navigate a challenging group with high-profile opponents. The appointment and subsequent tactical decisions will be critical to the team’s performance in the November tournament.