Saudi Arabia Prepares for the World Cup: A New Beginning Under Donis

The Saudi national team is heading to the 2026 World Cup amidst significant changes in the coaching staff, following the dismissal of Hervé Renard at the end of April and his replacement with Greek coach Georgios Donis.

Although Renard achieved a historic victory over Argentina in the 2022 World Cup, his second stint with the "Green Falcons" was disappointing, leading to his departure amid criticism more about the timing of the dismissal than the decision itself.

Denis took on the task without enough time to prepare and without playing any matches before selecting his squad, which presents him with a difficult challenge in quickly organizing the team. He is expected to rely on a 4-2-3-1 formation with the primary goal of making the team hard to break down, especially given the clear struggle to keep clean sheets in recent matches. Scoring goals has also been a prominent issue, as most of the offensive output has been limited and lacked a strong presence from the strikers.

Despite these challenges, the Saudi national team still possesses standout players who can make a difference. Salem Al-Dawsari leads the scene as one of the team's most prominent stars, having scored the historic winning goal against Argentina in 2022, and he remains capable of decisive action despite his advancing age.

Musab Al-Juwair also stands out as a promising young talent in the midfield, alongside Firas Al-Buraikan, known for his relentless work and ability to score goals at crucial moments, as well as Saud Abdulhamid, the full-back for French club Lens.

As for the fan participation and atmosphere, a significant Saudi presence is expected in the United States, with an active fan base in Asian stadiums known for their enthusiasm and their creation of distinctive "tifo" displays.

With Saudi Arabia entering the tournament, attention remains focused on the team's ability to navigate the transition phase and simultaneously prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup on its home soil and the hosting of the 2034 World Cup.