Renard's Bold Promise: Saudi Arabia on Track to Qualify for World Cup 2026

Match Preview

Saudi Arabia's head coach Hervé Renard has declared the squad ready for the Asian playoff against Indonesia, scheduled for tomorrow in Jeddah at the Al-Inma Stadium, as part of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Asia. The Saudis face Indonesia in Group B and would potentially meet Iraq on October 14 as the schedule tightens the drama.

Renard told the press that the team is prepared and determined to secure qualification on home soil, emphasizing the importance of making it to the World Cup. He recalled that in 2018 Saudi Arabia qualified from this route against Japan and did so again in 2022 against Australia, and that the aim is to repeat the feat.

The coach noted that he returned to the Saudi squad a year ago with the intention of direct qualification, but that path was not achieved. He pointed to productive camp sessions and pledged to give more than 100 percent to reach the objective.

Renard also mentioned a major squad overhaul since January of last year, with about half the players replaced. The team has progressed technically, and it will be assessed in tomorrow's game to determine if the level of development is sufficient.

He concluded that the team is on the right track technically, with room for improvement in several aspects and a need for physical strength to secure a World Cup berth. His message to the players ahead of Indonesia was clear: they will qualify together for the World Cup.

The Asian Football Confederation appointed Kuwaiti referee Ahmed Al Ali to oversee the match, a decision that sparked some reaction, particularly in Indonesian circles that questioned the appointment. Al Ali has officiated 56 international matches, shown 188 yellow cards, issued 3 direct red cards, and awarded 14 penalties in his career so far.

Road to World Cup 2026

The Asian qualifiers placed Saudi Arabia in Group 3 with Australia, Japan, Indonesia, China, and Bahrain. Saudi Arabia finished third with 13 points, behind Japan (23) and Australia (19). They recorded 3 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses, scoring 7 goals and conceding 8. The group winners advance directly to the World Cup 2026 finals, while the runners-up contest a home-and-away playoff to reach an intercontinental playoff, scheduled for March. If teams finish level on points, tiebreakers are applied in this order: goal difference, goals scored, head-to-head results, and fair play.

Indonesia were drawn in the same group and finished fourth with 12 points, behind Japan (23), Australia (19), and Saudi Arabia (13), with 3 wins, 3 draws, and 4 losses, scoring 9 and conceding 10. Iraq were placed in Group 4 with Kuwait, Jordan, Palestine, Oman, and South Korea, finishing third with 15 points behind Korea and Jordan, with 4 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses, 9 goals for and 9 against.

Head-to-Head and Historical Form

Saudi Arabia and Indonesia share a long-standing head-to-head history: 16 encounters have produced 12 Saudi wins, 3 draws, and 1 Indonesia victory. The Saudi side has outscored Indonesia 45 to 8 across these meetings. The first meeting occurred in December 1980 in Riyadh, ending in an 8-0 win for Saudi Arabia. Indonesia earned its first draw against Saudi in 1997 in Singapore (1-1), and its first historical win over Saudi came in November 2024 with a 2-0 result.

Bottom line: the rivalry remains intense as both sides push for a place at the 2026 finals.

Punchlines: Renard’s plan is so precise that the goalposts might need safety rails. If this plan lands, the trophy cabinet will suddenly need a bigger door. If not, at least the post-match press conference will be a blockbuster sequel: World Cup Qualifiers, Part Two.