Saudi national team coach Herve Renard has declared his squad ready for a crucial Asian playoff match against Indonesia in the fourth round of the AFC qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, making a bold promise to secure a spot in the tournament co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico next summer.
The Green Falcons will fight for the sole ticket of the Asian Group B playoff against Indonesia at Jeddah’s Alinma Stadium, then they will host Iraq on 14 October.
Renard emphasized that World Cup qualification is vital for both the national team and Saudi fans. “We know the importance of Saudi Arabia’s presence in the World Cup; fans desire our participation, and we must have determination to qualify for the seventh time,” he said during the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
The Promise: ‘We Will Qualify Together’
The French tactician delivered a motivational message to his squad, saying, “We will qualify together for the World Cup.” He recalled that Saudi Arabia clinched qualification at home in 2018 and 2022, expressing his ambition to repeat this feat. He urged every player to exert maximum effort in the two critical upcoming matches to secure decisive victories for the nation.
The upcoming match will feature a renewed encounter between two opponents who know each other well. They have met twice in the third group of the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, where Indonesia achieved one win and one draw against the Saudi team.
Regarding the Indonesia match, Renard stated, “We are ready for this challenge. With fans’ support, we aim to secure all three points. We’ve improved since the Gulf Cup and must prove it on the field.”
Renard clarified that Indonesia has significantly improved, confidently stressing that Saudi Arabia remains optimistic about victory.
Building a New Generation
Since returning to his role a year ago, Renard has implemented significant changes to build a stronger, more competitive team. He revealed a strategic overhaul of the squad, explaining, “Last January, I decided to change a large number of players. 50% of the players who were with us during that period have been changed.” This substantial refresh aims to develop a new generation of Saudi talent.
Renard explained that his squad have shown notable technical development since the Gulf Cup, adding, “We are on the right track technically. We had a training camp in Europe during the last break that boosted our preparations, and everyone has hope of qualifying for the World Cup.”
Renard passionately implored supporters for overwhelming attendance, stating clearly: “We absolutely want the stadium filled with Saudi supporters; indeed, their unwavering support will prove our strongest weapon tomorrow.”
Finally, Renard concluded his remarks by confidently assuring fans that the squad will fight to reach the World Cup for the seventh time in their storied history, stating, “I am absolutely confident that we will give more than 100% to achieve our primary goal and qualify once more.”
