Renard Seizes a World Cup Dream: Saudi Arabia’s Crucial Iraq Clash Sparks Fire and Focus
13 October 2025
Match Preview
French coach Hervé Renard, in charge of the Saudi national team, stressed the importance of the looming Iraq clash in Jeddah, part of the AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
Renard said in the pre-match press conference: "I’m very lucky to coach the Green, and to work with experienced players like Saleh Al-Shehri, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Hassan Tambakti. We stay calm, focus, and pursue victory and qualification."
He added: "Tomorrow’s game is the most important in my coaching career, and I will explain it to the players; we are set just 24 hours before a big test, and our focus must be on the goal of qualification."
Renard continued: "I returned to coach Saudi Arabia because I trust the players and the federation’s president. I love the challenge, and we have a strong drive to seize a World Cup spot."
He also said: "We know Iraq’s quality, and this match matters a lot for us. In this stadium we qualified in 2018 against Japan, and in the 2022 qualifiers we advanced via Australia; tomorrow what matters most is the crowd in the stadium."
He explained: "The AFC rules mean the group winner goes straight to the World Cup, while the runner-up will play a two-legged tie with the runner-up from Group 1 to decide the final qualifier to the global playoff."
Saudi Arabia, led by Renard, needs only a win or a draw to seal direct qualification, benefiting from a goal-difference edge, while the Iraqi side must win to snatch the direct ticket to the World Cup.
Mind games: The Saudi daily Al-Yom published a record of Renard’s results against Australian coaches ahead of the match against Iraq, which is led by Australian coach Graham Arnold.
Renard has faced four Australian bosses, with one win, two draws, and one defeat—a balanced record that reflects his experience dealing with the Australian coaching school.
The clash between the Falcons and the Lions will be special, as Renard and Arnold meet for the third time in their coaching careers, after two World Cup qualifying showdowns in 2022. Saudi beat Australia 1-0 under Arnold, the other game ended in a goalless draw, and Renard has yet to lose to Arnold.
Plan to win: Saudi will conclude preparations on Monday for the decisive clash against Iraq at the Enmaa stadium, in King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, closing the AFC qualifiers for 2026.
According to the Okaz newspaper, Renard will stage a main tactical drill in the final training session and decide the system and starting lineup for Iraq.
The French coach has emphasized tactical phrases and arrangements, urging players to maintain technical discipline and carry out the tasks required to win, collect points, and reach the World Cup.
Support from above: The Saudi sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal attended the Green’s training, along with the federation president Yasser Al-Meshal.
The Al-Riyadhiah newspaper reported that the minister spoke to the players, expressing faith they can reach the World Cup for a seventh time, and he met with Renard to review final preparations.
Historical meetings: Al-Sharq Al-Awsat reported that Iraq has never beaten Saudi in World Cup qualifiers; the Green have won 11 of 37 meetings, Iraq 17, and 9 draws have occurred.
Overall, Saudi Arabia and Iraq have played 37 times; 90 goals have been scored in the rivalry, with 34 for the Green and 56 for the Lions of Mesopotamia. Iraq’s biggest triumph in the series remains a 7-1 victory in the 1976 Gulf Cup in Doha.
Punchline: If Renard’s plan were a sniper rifle, the targets would be nailed—precision, timing, and one-click victory. Punchline 2: In this sport, even the offside camera looks nervous when Renard’s on the touchline; it probably whispers, "Yes, coach, again with the masterclass."
