Published On 4/23/2026
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Last update: 22:26 (Mecca time)
The Saudi Football Federation announced today, Thursday, the appointment of Greek Georgios Donis as the new coach of the first team until July 2027, succeeding Frenchman Hervé Renard, less than two months before the start of the World Cup in North America.
The Federation said in a statement on the
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The statement added, “Donis went through a number of training stations with European and local clubs, most notably AEK Athens and PAOK of Greece, while he has extensive training experience in the Roshen Saudi Professional League with Al-Hilal, Al-Wahda and Al-Fateh clubs, in addition to his recent experience with Al-Khaleej Club, which enhances the speed of his harmony with the next stage.”
He continued, “Donis also achieved a number of achievements during his coaching career, most notably the Cyprus League 2013-2014, the Cyprus Cup 2013-2014, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup 2015, the Crown Prince Cup 2015-2016, in addition to the Saudi Super Cup 2015.”
He concluded his statement, “It is noteworthy that the Saudi Football Federation will hold a press conference in the presence of the national team’s technical staff in Riyadh, before the national team’s delegation departs for its final preparatory camp in the United States of America in preparation for participation in the 2026 World Cup.”
Saudi Arabia lost in a friendly match to Egypt and Serbia, respectively, last March in preparation for the World Cup, while Saudi media strongly criticized Renard after the team’s recent decline in results.
Replacement for Reynard
Last Friday, French coach Herve Renard announced to Agence France-Presse that he had been relieved of his duties as coach of the Saudi national football team, two months before his participation in the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
In response to a question about whether he had been dismissed from his position, the French coach, who returned to this position in late 2024, answered in the affirmative.
Renard said in a telephone statement: “This is football… Saudi Arabia has qualified for the World Cup seven times, including twice with me. The only coach who has played in the qualifiers and the World Cup is me, and that will be in 2022. At least this pride will remain.”
Saudi Arabia will play in the World Cup alongside Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde in Group Eight.
