Harve Renard has been sacked as coach of Saudi Arabia men’s national team.
The Frenchman was relieved of his duty by the Saudi Arabia Football Federation less than two months from the start of the 2026 World Cup set to be co-hosted by USA, Mexico and Canada.
The 57-year-old leaves after a second spell at the helm that started in 2024, and he qualified the team for the World Cup.
Renard had previously led the Green Falcons to Qatar 2022 World Cup.
According to AFP, the former Ivory Coast coach was gracious despite the sack before a tournament he led the country throughout its qualification campaign, securing their seventh appearance at the Mundial.
“That’s football … Saudi Arabia have qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me.
“And there’s only one coach who has led them through both the qualifiers and the World Cup; that’s me, in 2022. At least there will be that sense of pride.”
The Saudi football federation is already in talks with a potential replacement for two-time Africa Cup of Nations winner Renard, with sources disclosing that Georgios Donis, a former Greece international and current coach of Saudi club Al Khaleej, is the likely candidate for the post.
Saudi Arabia will feature in Group H with Spain, Uruguay, and debutants Cape Verde at the 2026 World Cup, and all their three group matches will be played within the United States.