Renard: The Iraq Match is a Turning Point in My Coaching Career

French coach Hervé Renard, head coach of the Saudi national football team, confirmed that the anticipated match against the Iraqi national team, scheduled for Tuesday evening in Jeddah, represents the most important event in his coaching career, due to its significant value in determining direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

Renard explained during the press conference held on Monday that tomorrow's match carries a special significance for him and the players, noting that he will clarify to the team members how important this match is on both personal and national levels.

The French coach indicated that he returned to coach the "Green" team driven by complete confidence in his players' abilities and the support of the Saudi Football Federation, affirming that he enjoys taking on tough challenges and believes in his team's ability to secure qualification.

Renard expressed his pride in leading the Saudi national team once again, pointing out that he has a distinguished group of experienced players such as Salem Al-Dawsari, Saleh Al-Shehri, and Hassan Tambakti, confirming that the team is preparing with full focus and calm to overcome the Iraqi hurdle.

He added that the Iraqi national team possesses a strong level and deserves respect, but he emphasized that the presence of Saudi fans will be a decisive factor in supporting the players, recalling the historic qualification against Japan in 2018 and Australia in the 2022 qualifiers at the same stadium.

For his part, striker Saleh Al-Shehri stressed the importance of the match, describing it as the most significant of the current season, and directed his thanks to the fans who supported the team against Indonesia, confirming that the expected fan support will be a motivation to achieve the desired victory.

Al-Shehri pointed out that the team has high-level substitutes, confirming that the absence of some players like Abdulrahman Al-Aboud and Mohammed Kanoo will not affect the team's performance thanks to the availability of 28 players ready to participate.

It is noteworthy that Renard, who is 57 years old, returned to coach the Saudi national team in October 2024 after an experience with his country's women's team, and his current contract extends until the end of 2025, while the "Green" team seeks to maintain its lead with a three-point advantage on goal difference over Iraq.

The Saudi national team only needs a draw to ensure qualification for the World Cup finals for the third consecutive time and the seventh in its history, while the Iraqi national team must win to secure direct qualification, while the group runner-up will enter the Asian playoff for the global playoff.