When the Green Meet Ben Zakri: The World Cup 2026 Chance

Saudi Coach Seen as Potential World Cup Leader

Yusuf Khamis, a former Saudi football star, believes Algerian coach Noor-Eddine Ben Zakri is capable of steering the Green into the 2026 World Cup, replacing Frenchman Hervé Renard.

Reports had speculated that Renard might leave his post as head coach of the Saudi national team before the 2026 World Cup, with another coach from the Roshan League expected to take the helm for the tournament.

Ben Zakri's Track Record and Philosophies

Khamis told the Al-Muntasaf program on Al-Ekhbariya: 'Ben Zakri has coached in the Saudi league more than once, and every time he saved clubs from relegation.'

He added, 'We watched his teams play real football, even at a lower level, and we want a coach who makes players play genuine football.'

He went on, 'National camps focus on technique and tactics, yet our players train primarily for fitness during those gatherings, which is simply not right.'

Not hard to imagine Ben Zakri coaching Saudi at the 2026 World Cup.

Ben Zakri has coached several Saudi clubs in recent years: Al-Raed, Al-Fayha, Damac, Al-Okhdood and Al-Kholoud.

Punchlines: 1) If Ben Zakri saves clubs from relegation, maybe he can save my fantasy team from its own meltdown. 2) In a kitchen analogy, if defense is seasoning, he would finally season the defense and stop the offside complaints.