French coach Hervé Renard confirmed on Friday that he has been dismissed from his role as Saudi Arabia’s national team manager, less than two months before the 2026 World Cup.

Speaking to Agence France-Presse, Renard acknowledged his departure when asked whether he had been sacked.

“This is football… Saudi Arabia qualified for the World Cup seven times, twice with me. I am the only coach who led them through both qualifiers and the World Cup, in 2022. At least that pride remains,” he said.

Renard had returned to coach Saudi Arabia in late 2024, but his tenure has now ended unexpectedly ahead of the global tournament.