Saudi Arabia, which has invested hundreds of millions of euros in the development of its football in recent times, has absolutely no shortage of the 2026 World Cup, eight years before hosting the event of FIFA. Remember, the Saudi selection then led by Hervé Renard had created the first feeling of the World Cup in Qatar on November 22, 2022, beating Lionel Messi Argentina (and future world champion), thanks to a magnificent strike from her star player Salem al-Dawsari.
Hervé Renard was just chosen by the Saudi Federation to lead the hawks to the World Cup 26 in Canada, the United States and Mexico. The French technician left the French female team last summer on a disappointing elimination in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games football tournament. An almost everywhere in Africa, he had the immense opportunity to resume the reins of the Saudi selection, after a little conclusive and very expensive year of Roberto Mancini.
Now Saudi Arabia, fifth Asian nation, was unlucky during the draw for the main tour of the playoffs in Asia, falling on two best heads of standard in its group, Japan and Australia! The first two of the three groups will qualify directly for the World Cup, while the third and fourth will access a new round (two hens of three teams) to compete for two additional tickets.
Hervé Renard for a final Arabia Saudi-Australia
The players of Hervé Renard could only take one point against the blue samurai (0-0), Tuesday in Saitama. It is a lesser evil since they only drew once in the goal of the game! The Japanese celebrated their qualification for the 2026 World Cup acquired five days earlier in front of their audience by largely dominating the debates (78% ball possession, 12 shots for 1.04 XG). The Japanese coach had announced a bit of turnover but Takefusa Kubo was aligned from the start. Keito Nakamura was established, before the entries at the game of Junya Ito and Takumi Minamino.
At the same time, in this group C, Australia has established itself in China (2-0) and now occupies second place with three points more than the Saudis. The verdict will fall during the international window of June. Socceroos will receive Japan and Saudi Arabia will have to impose itself absolutely against Bahrain, before a “final” between the two selections, on June 10 in Riyadh. In the event of a 4th round, Saudi Arabia would possibly find the Emirates or Qatar.
