Renard Signals World Cup 2026 Surprises Ahead
6 December 2025
World Cup 2026: Surprises Could Be On The Menu
Saudi Arabia's head coach Hervé Renard says the upcoming World Cup 2026 could unfold with big surprises. He stresses the tournament will be full of challenges and that the strength of several teams will turn every match into a real test.
During the draw ceremony in Washington, Renard confirmed Saudi Arabia were drawn into Group Eight alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde.
Renard spoke to reporters about Argentina s potential to win again, noting that they are a strong side and could go far, but that it is too early to judge the tournament.
He added that the team’s previous loss to Argentina gave them motivation to perform well and strive for the title, and that last edition saw Saudi beat Argentina yet fail to advance, so bigger ambitions are in order.
Saudi Arabia’s 2-1 victory over Argentina in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is recalled as a historical moment.
Separately, the Green reached the quarterfinals of the 2025 Arab Cup in Qatar after beating Oman and Comoros in the first two rounds.
outlook for 2026 and a touch of humor
Notes about the draw and Renard’s approach outline a team ready to push beyond expectations in 2026.
Punchline 1: Renard’s playbook is so precise, even the defense needs a GPS to find the ball. Punchline 2: If football were a sniper’s rifle, Renard would be the one squeezing the trigger with a smile and a perfectly timed substitution.
