Saudi Arabia Sacks Coach Hervé Renard Before World Cup

Hervé Renard has been sacked as the coach of the Saudi Arabia national football team, just under two months before the start of the 2026 World Cup. The announcement was made on Friday, with Renard, 57, having returned for a second spell as coach in 2024 after previously leading the team from 2019 to 2023.

He notably guided Saudi Arabia to a famous victory over eventual champions Argentina during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Renard, a two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner with Zambia and Ivory Coast, was replaced by Roberto Mancini, who had a brief and underwhelming 14-month stint.

Reports indicate that former Greek international Giorgio Doni is in line to take over Renard's role. The Saudi Arabia national team is set to face Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde in Group H of the upcoming World Cup.