Saudi Arabia has dismissed French head coach Hervé Renard, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced on Friday. The decision comes less than two months before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Renard, 57, was in his second spell as manager of the Saudi national team, having returned to the role in late 2024. His initial tenure from 2021 to 2023 was highlighted by a famous victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup. The SAFF stated the decision was made after a recent review of the team's preparations and recent friendly match results.
The federation has not yet named a permanent successor. Assistant coach Khalid Al-Atwi is expected to take temporary charge of the team as they finalize their preparations for the global tournament. Saudi Arabia is placed in Group A of the 2026 World Cup, alongside Argentina, Poland, and Mexico.
