Announced as potentially leaving during the last international break, Hervé Renard will indeed remain the head coach of Saudi Arabia for the 2026 World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19. The information, confirmed by the French newspaper L'Équipe, puts an end to a period marked by persistent rumors of dismissal.
In this uncertain context, the name of Walid Regragui circulated widely in several Saudi media outlets. The Morocco coach, praised for his historic run at the 2022 World Cup, was seen as a credible option in case of a change at the helm of the Green Falcons. This speculation reflects both the attractiveness of his profile on the international stage and the doubts surrounding Renard’s situation.
Ultimately, discussions between the French coach and his management led to his continued employment, as reported by the French sports daily. Very close to the president of the Saudi federation, Yasser Al-Misehal, Hervé Renard secured sufficient guarantees to continue his mission until the World Cup.
In recent weeks, several signs had fueled uncertainty, particularly before the friendly match against Serbia, where a possible dismissal of Hervé Renard had been mentioned. This period of doubt highlighted internal tensions, without fundamentally undermining the relationship of trust between the coach and his hierarchy.
Saudi Arabia: Walid Regragui considered to succeed Hervé Renard
The 2026 World Cup could see the presence of three Moroccan coaches managing national teams in the competition. This scenario has gained traction in recent hours following revelations from the Saudi newspaper Alriyadiyah. Walid Regragui, former coach of Morocco’s national team and 2025 African champion, is now reportedly at the top of the list to take charge of the Saudi national team, replacing Frenchman Hervé Renard.
From a sporting perspective, Saudi Arabia will enter the tournament in a particularly tough group alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde. Against such opponents, the goal will be to advance past the group stage—a milestone the Saudi national team has not reached since 1994.
For Hervé Renard, this will mark his third consecutive World Cup, after leading Morocco in 2018 and Saudi Arabia in 2022.
Unless there is a last-minute twist, the 2026 World Cup is expected to mark the end of the French coach’s tenure with the Saudi national team, according to L'Équipe. With his contract set to expire after the tournament, the question of his successor is already beginning to emerge.
In this context, Walid Regragui appears to be a credible candidate to take over. Although no official announcement has been made at this stage, his name continues to circulate strongly, driven by his high-level experience and his ability to build a competitive project, following Morocco’s rise as one of the leading forces in world football. The question remains which direction he will choose for the next stage of his career.