French coach Hervé Renard, manager of the Saudi national team, delivered a strong message to his players as the November training camp opened, signaling the start of a crucial phase in the team’s buildup toward 2026.
The squad gathered in Jeddah to prepare for two friendlies against Ivory Coast and Algeria on November 14 and 18, part of the lead‑up to the Arab Cup in December.
Renard's Message
Saudi media reported Renard held a meeting with the players, outlining a preparation plan that ties the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar to the World Cup 2026 journey, spanning upcoming international windows and the final World Cup push.
The coach stressed that the main objective is to advance deep into the Arab Cup and ultimately clinch the title, setting a clear target for the squad.
Renard underscored that the Arab Cup should be a meaningful milestone on the road to a stronger team capable of shining at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Why Ivory Coast and Algeria?
The French manager explained that African teams bring physical power and tactical discipline, offering a valuable test to lift the players’ readiness for big-stage challenges.
He added that facing strong African nations provides high‑level competition that benefits overall development and prepares the squad for both the World Cup and Arab Cup contexts that include teams from the continent.
First World Cup Steps
The current camp in Jeddah marks a new phase of preparation, featuring two high‑profile friendlies as part of the build‑up to the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar.
Saudi Arabia will test itself against Ivory Coast and Algeria, two former African champions, as it readies for the world stage and seeks to restore confidence after a run of mixed results in recent years.
The road to 2026 continued with the team securing a World Cup berth after a dramatic playoff push in Asia, including a win over Indonesia and a draw with Iraq to clinch top spot in the group.
Fans hope this camp yields a more mature “Green Falcons,” capable of reviving Saudi football and making a strong impression at the World Cup and in the Arab Cup 2025 in Qatar.
In Qatar 2025, the team aims not only to participate but to leave a mark, while earlier Gulf and CONCACAF runs highlighted areas for improvement that this camp seeks to address.
Overall, there is renewed optimism as the team looks to rebuild confidence and present a refreshed face on the world stage.
Punchline 1: If Renard’s plan were a sniper’s shot, it would hit target after target—with a whistle and a grin to match.
Punchline 2: In football as in life, Renard teaches that if you aim for the net and miss, at least the press will have a perfectly drawn diagram of the shot.
