Hervé Renard dismissed as Saudi Arabia head coach less than two months before 2026 World Cup
French coach Hervé Renard has been sacked as head coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team with less than two months remaining before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to verified reports from multiple sources.
The decision comes as a significant shock given Renard’s recent return to the role in October 2024, marking his second stint in charge of the Green Falcons. His dismissal was reported by Goal.com citing an extraordinary meeting at the Saudi Football Federation, though official confirmation from the federation remains pending.
Renard, born on 30 September 1968 in Aix-les-Bains, France, is a decorated international coach known for becoming the first manager to win two Africa Cup of Nations titles with different nations — leading Zambia to victory in 2012 and Ivory Coast in 2015. He previously managed Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 before a brief spell in charge of the France women’s national team ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
His return to Saudi Arabia in October 2024 was confirmed by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, with an official source speaking to Al-Riyadiyah dismissing rumors at that time about his potential departure ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The federation emphasized his continued role in leading the team’s preparations for the tournament.
The timing of the reported sacking raises immediate questions about Saudi Arabia’s World Cup campaign, which begins in just under two months. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with Saudi Arabia having qualified through the Asian Football Confederation’s third round of qualifiers.
During his first tenure with Saudi Arabia (2019–2023), Renard guided the team to qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they famously defeated Argentina 2–1 in their opening group match — one of the tournament’s biggest upsets. However, they failed to advance beyond the group stage after losses to Poland and Mexico.
More recently, Renard was linked with the France women’s team role in 2023, taking over ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand. His appointment came after Corinne Diacre’s departure, though his time with the women’s side was relatively brief before his return to the men’s setup in Saudi Arabia.
The reported dismissal has not yet been independently verified by official channels such as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s website or verified social media accounts. No statement has been issued by Renard or his representatives regarding the alleged decision.
Should the reports prove accurate, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation will face the urgent task of appointing a new head coach with limited time before the World Cup. Potential candidates would need to quickly assess the squad, implement tactical plans, and prepare the team for what promises to be a challenging group stage draw.
The situation remains fluid, with Archysport continuing to monitor for official confirmation from the Saudi Arabian Football Federation or verified statements from Renard himself. Any developments will be reported as soon as they are confirmed through authoritative sources.
For now, the focus shifts to how this potential leadership change might affect Saudi Arabia’s preparations for their opening match at the 2026 World Cup, the date and opponent for which have yet to be finalized in the official tournament schedule.
Stay tuned to Archysport for the latest verified updates on this breaking story as it develops.
