Infantino Specifically Wanted Renard at the World Cup Draw
5 December 2025
Renard to Attend the World Cup Draw
Yasser Al-Misehal, head of the Saudi Football Federation, said Gianni Infantino, FIFA president, personally asked for Hervé Renard, the Saudi team coach, to attend the 2026 World Cup draw.
Al-Misehal and Renard flew to Washington, D.C., yesterday to attend the draw at the Kennedy Center.
The trip sparked controversy back home since Saudi Arabia were playing a match against Comoros at the same time in the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar.
In a TV interview, Al-Misehal explained that Infantino had made a personal request for Renard to attend the draw.
He added there are coaching workshops, and Renard, with extensive experience, will be taking part in the World Cup for the third time.
Al-Misehal also noted that past World Cup workshops led to key decisions, including increasing the squad size from 23 to 26 players.
Finally, he said it was a personal request, and the technical staff and administration were confident the job could be handled; Renard would miss one match against Comoros and return afterward.
What It Means for Saudi Arabia
In the end, Renard's presence at the draw highlights experience's value today.
Punchline: If Renard can handle the trip, legends fear nothing anymore.
Punchline 2: Red cards stay in the dressing room.
