A major surprise has emerged just two months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as Saudi Arabia has officially dismissed head coach Hervé Renard. The decision comes despite the French manager successfully guiding the Green Falcons to their seventh World Cup qualification.
Hervé Renard’s Track Record
Hervé Renard led Saudi Arabia across two periods, from 2019 to 2023 and again from 2024 to 2026. Out of the nation’s seven World Cup appearances, two were achieved under his leadership.
However, recent friendly results raised concerns, with Saudi Arabia suffering a heavy 0–4 defeat to Egypt and a 1–2 loss against Serbia.
Greek Coach Set to Take Over
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) moved quickly to appoint a replacement. According to reports, Georgios Donis ,a 56-year-old Greek coach currently managing Al Khaleej will take over the role.
He is expected to sign a one-year contract, becoming the 60th head coach in the history of the Saudi national team.
A Difficult Task Ahead
With limited time to prepare, the new coach faces a significant challenge. Saudi Arabia has been drawn into Group H, alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
Building a cohesive strategy in such a short time frame will be a major test.
More importantly, he will need to restore confidence after recent setbacks and ensure the players are mentally ready for the intensity of the World Cup stage.
Remembering the 2022 Shock
In the 2022 World Cup, Saudi Arabia delivered one of the tournament’s biggest upsets by defeating Argentina 2–1, a team that ultimately went on to win the championship.
After falling behind early, Saudi Arabia showed incredible resilience and tactical discipline. They turned the game around with two quick second-half goals, leaving fans and analysts around the world in disbelief. The result instantly became one of the biggest upsets ever seen on the World Cup stage.
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