Renard sacked as Saudi Arabia coach ahead of World Cup
Frenchman Herve Renard told AFP on Friday he has been relieved of his duties as Saudi Arabia coach, less than two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup.
english.ahram.org.egHere’s a concise update based on the latest publicly reported information.
- Hervé Renard was dismissed as Saudi Arabia coach in April 2026, less than two months before the World Cup, according to multiple outlets. This confirms his departure ahead of the tournament.[1][6]
- Reports indicated the decision followed a string of disappointing results, including losses in the March international window and a disappointing Arab Cup showing, leading to a leadership change ahead of the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.[2][1]
- The Saudi federation publicly faced questions about Renard’s future, with some outlets stating negotiations or discussions about a replacement were underway, though some reports initially claimed the federation denied a sacking; subsequent coverage clarified the dismissal had occurred.[4][9][2]
If you’d like, I can pull exact dates, the official statements, and candidates linked to replace Renard, or provide a brief overview of how this coaching change might affect Saudi Arabia’s World Cup group stage preparation.
Citations:
- Renard sacked ahead of World Cup[1]
- Reports of renewed discussions and potential replacement[2]
- Federation denial and eventual dismissal reporting[6][9][4]