3/11/2024–|Last updated: 11/4/202412:06 AM (Mecca time)
Hervé Renard, who has returned to coach the Saudi national team, said that he is confident that Al-Akhdar will reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after a modest start in the Asian qualifiers, despite “the task not being easy.”
The Saudi Football Federation separated from coach Roberto Mancini, after he collected 5 points in 4 matches in the third qualifying stage for the tournament, which will be held in North America, and hired coach Renard, who had left coaching Saudi Arabia in March 2023, to coach the French women’s national football team.
Renard led Saudi Arabia to achieve the biggest surprise in the 2022 World Cup by defeating Argentina in the opening match, before Lionel Messi’s teammates won the title in Qatar.
Renard told the Saudi national team account on the X social media platform on Sunday, “My return to Saudi Arabia was because I believe it can qualify for the World Cup, otherwise I will not stay for a single day in the country.”
He added, “I know the players and realize the extent of their talent. The current situation is not good, but it is not the worst. There are 6 matches remaining… until the end of the qualifiers, so the mission is clear. The first and second places qualify for the World Cup, and everything is still possible. The task will not be easy, but it is possible.”
Renard, who had an unsuccessful experience with the French women’s national team before returning to Saudi Arabia, is counting on the players’ confidence returning.
The French coach said, sending a message to the players: “They just have to remember what they did a few years ago and not in the distant past… The players must be dedicated to the national team. This is a wonderful challenge to reach… I have full confidence in them.”
Renard: I watch the Saudi League
Despite his departure from Saudi Arabia, he continued to watch the professional league.
He continued, “I left 18 months ago, and since my departure I have been watching the Saudi League every week, and I do not think there are any secrets hidden from me.”
He explained the reason for his continuous watching, saying, “Firstly, because the competition attracts viewing, and secondly, because most of the players who were in the national team play in fan clubs.”
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Renard (56 years old) expressed his happiness for the young talents to participate with their clubs, asking the fans “not to worry, as I know the conditions of all the players well.”
Saudi Arabia has 5 points in third place, which is the balance of Australia and Bahrain. Japan leads Group C with 10 points.
Saudi Arabia will be the guest of Australia and Indonesia during the upcoming international break in the middle of this month.
