The final training session of the Saudi national football team witnessed a major surprise, namely the absence of French coach Hervé Renard , just hours before the anticipated match against the Comoros national team, as part of the second round of the group stage in the 2025 Arab Cup, which is currently being hosted by Qatar.
The reason for Renard's absence and who took over the task
According to official sources, the French coach's absence from the last training session was not due to health reasons or a sudden emergency, but rather to an official commitment requiring his presence in the United States. Renard traveled to attend the draw ceremony for the 2026 World Cup , a major global event that Saudi Arabia considers a key component of its future sporting plans.
In light of this temporary absence, assistant coach Francois Rodriguez the technical supervision of the Green team’s group training, leading the players in the final maneuver to put the necessary tactical touches in place to break the Comoros national team’s defenses and ensure the team’s physical and mental readiness for this important match.
Qualification scenarios and the anticipated match against Morocco
The Saudi national team enters this match with its sights set on nothing less than three points, as the "Green Falcons" seek to officially and early secure their place in the quarterfinals. This determination stems from a desire to avoid complicated calculations before the anticipated fiery encounter in the third and final round against the strong Moroccan team, a match expected to determine the group leader.
The Saudi national team had started its journey in the tournament with a valuable and well-deserved victory over its Omani counterpart by a score of two goals to one, in the match that was held at the Education City World Cup stadium, which gave the players a huge morale boost to move forward in the tournament.
The importance of the Arab Cup and its historical context
The 2025 Arab Cup holds special significance as it will be held in Qatar on World Cup-standard pitches, providing a valuable opportunity for players to gain experience against diverse footballing styles (Asian and African). The Saudi national team, with its rich history in Arab and Asian tournaments, aims to reclaim its former glory and compete strongly for the title, particularly given the significant development of the Saudi Professional League and its positive impact on the performance of local players.
Renard’s presence at the 2026 World Cup draw also reflects the strategic vision of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, which balances the current regional competition in the Arab Cup with long-term preparations for the upcoming global event, to ensure the continued presence of the Green Falcons in major international events.
