Yasser Al-Misehal, president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, revealed important and surprising details regarding the absence of the Saudi national team's coach, Frenchman Hervé Renard, from leading the Green Falcons in their upcoming match against Comoros. Al-Misehal explained that this absence came at the direct request of Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, who insisted that Renard be present in Washington, D.C., for the 2026 World Cup draw.
In televised remarks on Al-Ekhbariya channel, Al-Mishal confirmed that Infantino's invitation was not merely a protocolary one to attend the ceremony, but rather stemmed from the importance of Renard's presence at the technical workshops accompanying the draw. These workshops are a vital part of the preparations for the world's largest event, where the technical and logistical aspects of the upcoming tournament are discussed, reflecting the high regard in which the French coach and Saudi football are held by FIFA.
This development comes at a time when the Saudi national team is engaged in fierce competition in the 2025 Arab Cup, as the Green Falcons prepare to face Comoros in the second round of the group stage at Education City Stadium. The Saudi team began their campaign with a valuable 2-1 victory over Oman, putting them in a strong position to compete for the top spot in the group, despite the absence of their head coach from the sidelines in that match.
The importance of the 2026 World Cup and the international context
Hervé Renard's presence at the 2026 World Cup draw and workshops is of paramount strategic importance, given that the upcoming tournament will be historic in every sense. For the first time, the competition will feature 48 teams instead of 32, and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This significant expansion presents new technical and logistical challenges, requiring high-level coordination between the coaches of the major national teams and FIFA, which explains FIFA's insistence on the presence of influential figures in the technical field.
Impact of the event on Saudi football
This international attention reflects the significant progress Saudi sports are making, with the Saudi national team becoming a force to be reckoned with in Asian and international football, especially after their historic performance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup and their resounding victory over Argentina under the leadership of Hervé Renard himself. The coach's presence at the heart of the action in Washington ensures the Saudi team has early access to all the organizational and technical details of the upcoming World Cup, which will benefit long-term planning for Saudi football, even if it means missing a single match in a regional tournament.
