WORLD CUP AXE: SAUDI ARABIA FIRES RENARD JUST 55 DAYS TO KICK-OFF!
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In a dramatic move that has stunned the footballing world, Saudi Arabia has brutally sacked head coach Hervé Renard less than two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The 57-year-old Frenchman, who famously masterminded the Green Falcons’ historic upset over eventual champions Argentina in Qatar, was unceremoniously relieved of his duties following a disastrous string of warm-up friendlies. As the June 11 kick-off looms, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation is scrambling to install a replacement to lead the squad against heavyweights Spain and Uruguay in Group H.
The Road Ahead in Group H
The timing of the dismissal throws Saudi Arabia’s World Cup preparations into absolute chaos. The Green Falcons face a brutal draw in Group H, squaring off against former global champions Spain and Uruguay, alongside tournament debutants Cape Verde. Whoever steps into the dugout faces the monumental task of unifying a demoralized dressing room before their opening fixture.
The Anatomy of the Sacking
Renard returned for a second stint with Saudi Arabia in late 2024, stepping in after Roberto Mancini’s underwhelming 14-month tenure. However, the anticipated revival under the two-time AFCON winner never materialized.
Dismal Form: The axe fell sharply after a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by Egypt and a 2-1 defeat to Serbia during the recent international break.
Tournament Failures: The writing was on the wall after a highly disappointing third-place finish at the FIFA Arab Cup in December.
Renard’s Parting Shot: Confirming the news to AFP on Friday, April 17, Renard remained defiant: “That’s football… 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.”
Who Takes the Hot Seat?
With just 55 days to prepare a fractured squad for the world’s biggest stage, the federation is moving swiftly to secure a short-term crisis manager.
Georgios Donis: The former Greece international and current Al-Khaleej manager has emerged as the heavy favorite. Sources indicate Donis is negotiating a one-year contract to guide the team through the 2026 World Cup, the Arabian Gulf Cup, and the 2027 Asian Cup.
Walid Regragui: Early media rumors have also linked the former Morocco manager to the high-pressure role if the Donis deal collapses.