When a coach's heart stays with Nassr: Jesus doubles down on his mission amid World Cup fever

Commitment to Nassr amid national team questions

Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, the head coach of Al-Nassr, addressed the possibility of one day leading the Saudi national team, the Green Falcons, and reaffirmed his full commitment to his current project with the club, often described in media terms as the powerhouse known around the world.

Jesus referenced his past stint with Al-Hilal and his decision not to take Brazil's national-team job when it arose, stressing his respect for Saudi football and pride in the progress the sport is making in the Kingdom.

Direct response to national-team speculation

In a press conference ahead of the Al-Nassr vs Al-Fath match in Week 5 of the Saudi Pro League, he answered a direct question about a future role with the Saudi national team. He said he briefly rejected Brazil to stay with his club and is now fully committed to Al-Nassr; the future, he added, remains uncertain. He also congratulated the Saudi public on World Cup 2026 qualification, praising the work of the Saudi Football Federation.

The Saudi team secured a spot at the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for the United States, Canada, and Mexico, after a goalless draw with Iraq in the Asian playoff. The Green topped Group B on goal difference, with Iraq needing two playoff matches against the UAE to determine Asia's representative in the global playoff. Hervé Renard’s side has now notched seven World Cup appearances, cementing its status as the most frequent Arab-Asian participant in the tournament.

Nassr on top; a ruthless attack in form

The remarks come as Nassr aims for a fifth straight domestic win, hosting Al-Fath in Riyadh. The team has been on a tear, collecting seven consecutive victories across competitions and scoring 25 goals while allowing just one. The Ronaldo-Felix strike duo has driven the offense since the season’s start, supported by a balanced system that keeps the pressure high in attack and solid at the back. Ronaldo returned to action after fatigue, having impressed internationally with Portugal, including a pair of goals in a World Cup qualifier against Hungary.

Al-Fath’s early trouble

On the other side, Al-Fath have begun the campaign slowly, with three losses and a single draw, leaving them mid-table trouble early in the season. Their Spanish goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco is suspended, and Algerian Sofiane Bendebka’s availability is in doubt due to injury, which heightens the challenge of a visit to the league leaders.

Jesús’s continued impact and an action-packed October

Jesus’s current spell in Saudi Arabia stands as one of the strongest starts of his coaching career in the region, guiding Nassr to top form from the opening whistle and placing them at the summit with 12 points from four games, a 25-1 goal tally, and a formidable aura. The team also advanced in domestic cup competition by defeating rivals in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final against Ittihad before losing the final to Al-Ahli on penalties. In the AFC Champions League, Nassr opened with comfortable wins over FC Goa in Asia and over the Iraqi side Al-Zawraa.

A hectic October schedule and a golden chance for ten straight wins

The month ahead is dense for Nassr: a league clash with Al-Fath on October 18, followed by an Asian tie against FC Goa on October 22, then a league date with Al-Hazem on October 25, and the King Cup last-16 date against Al-Ittihad on October 28, before facing Al-Fayha roughly 48 hours later in the league’s seventh round. Jesus has a real shot at achieving ten straight wins across all competitions, a tally he has matched during his tenure with rivals in the past, underscoring his appetite for consistency and high performance.

Punchline 1: If the scoreboard is a map, Jesus is steering Nassr straight to the treasure—just don’t ask him for directions in the trash-talk section.

Punchline 2: My fantasy team is the same as Nassr’s schedule: loaded with stars, if only the clock would stop stressing me out about the next match-ups.