Mother's Dream, a World Cup Dream Realized: Saudi Arabia Seals 2026 Qualification Under Renard

Mother's Will

French coach Hervé Renard disclosed that his late mother urged him to lead Saudi Arabia to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—a dream he carried into every training session and press conference.

Renard has steered the Green Falcons to their seventh World Cup berth, and his third in a row after guiding them to Qatar 2022.

The team secured qualification by finishing atop the Asian playoff group with four points, level on goal difference with Iraq after their goalless draw in Riyadh.

Celebrating Fahd Al-Mulad

In the aftermath, Renard congratulated star winger Fahd Al-Mulad, who has been sidelined since a coma in September 2024, for his contribution to the nation’s journey back to the world stage.

Renard also recalled the 2018 victory against Japan that helped Saudi Arabia reach the World Cup in Russia, noting that Al-Mulad’s name was part of that memorable chapter.

Whispered Comforts and Shared Pride

Renard described an emotional moment with his mother before she passed away, saying she told him that he must stay with the Saudi team and keep faith with the national project, even as personal bereavements pressed close.

He added that he speaks with his family and his wife before big matches and that their support, along with the players and staff, has been essential to staying focused through a challenging period.

Dossari’s Call and a Collective Triumph

In the post-match press conference, Salem Al-Dosari, the team captain, spoke about the long road to qualification, thanking the leadership and the fans for their unwavering backing.

Al-Dosari emphasized that the national team’s development is ongoing and highlighted the importance of team cohesion and collective effort over individual accolades.

A Historic Milestone

This qualification marks Saudi Arabia’s third consecutive World Cup appearance and seventh overall since their first in 1994. The Green Falcons have now matched or surpassed several Arab peers in World Cup participation, a testament to sustained investment and ambition in the sport across the kingdom.

Beyond regional comparisons, the Saudi story remains one of resilience: a long-running campaign that places the team among the most frequent Arab World Cup participants, with a continued push to advance beyond the group stages in future editions.

The broader context shows that only a handful of Arab nations have reached seven World Cup finals appearances, with Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Morocco leading the way among their regional peers, while others have mixed histories across the decades.

As the final minutes ticked down, the federation and fans celebrated a moment that fuses personal faith with national pride, all set against a backdrop of a global tournament looming larger than ever for the Green Falcons.

And now, a little humor to cap the moment: If Saudi football keeps climbing like this, the World Cup committee might install a democracy sign that reads, “One vote, one goal—your team.” If not, at least the tea will be strong enough to survive the celebrations. And yes, even the goals get subtitles—confusing referees since 1994, apparently.