Herve Renard has been dismissed as head coach of Saudi Arabia national football team less than two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
The 57-year-old Frenchman had only returned for a second spell in charge at the end of 2024, having previously managed the team at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia national football team and Ivory Coast national football team, initially coached Saudi Arabia from 2019 to 2023 before being replaced by Roberto Mancini.
After leaving Saudi Arabia, Renard managed the France women’s national football team between 2023 and 2024, leading them to the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He was later recalled to replace Mancini following the Italian’s disappointing 14-month tenure.
Meanwhile, former Greece international Georgios Donis is reportedly being considered as Renard’s replacement.
Sources indicated that discussions are ongoing between the Saudi football federation and Al Khaleej FC, where Donis has been manager since 2024.
Saudi Arabia are drawn in Group H of the 2026 World Cup alongside former champions Spain national football team and Uruguay national football team, as well as debutants Cape Verde national football team.
All their group matches are scheduled to be played in the United States.
Saudi Arabia have participated in six World Cup tournaments, with their best performance being a Round of 16 finish at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States. At the 2022 edition, they exited at the group stage but recorded a memorable 2–1 victory over eventual champions Argentina national football team.
Onefootball
