Herve Renard and Saudi Arabia United on the Road to World Cup Glory

‘Whole Country Behind Us’: Herve Renard and Saudi Arabia United in World Cup ConvictionsIn the latest “You Got This” campaign, a new video shows a lone runner carving a path through empty streets. That solitary figure is none other than head coach of the Saudi Arabian national football team, Herve Renard. As he strides forward, others join him — a powerful symbol of unity, determination, and a nation moving toward the same destiny: qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The image holds special relevance for Renard. For him, running is not just training — it is contemplation, preparation, and discipline. “If I don’t run, I’m not feeling comfortable,” he explained candidly. “I never use music when I’m running. I’m always thinking about what I have to say, what maybe I didn’t do well before, what I have to improve, or what I will say to the players. Always to anticipate what’s coming.”The French coach is famed for his composed demeanor and deeply analytical approach to the game. His coaching, like his runs, is marked by constant refinement, self-critique, preparation, and positivity. “As a coach, we also like the pressure. It’s some adrenaline, you know? The competition. If there is no pressure in football, it’s not the same,” said Renard.But it’s not pressure alone that drives him. Renard brings an unwavering sense of optimism. “At the end, we are always thinking, we will be so happy, this is the most important (thing).”Renard understands the rhythm of football in Saudi Arabia — where fans are not just spectators but part of the full-throttle force that pushes the team forward. “It’s very good support,” he said. “I think (the whole) country will be behind us. We know what they are expecting from us, but we are also expecting from them to support us. From the first gun to the last one. And together, we have to do it.”That mutual belief between the team and its supporters has already yielded significant results — most memorably, in the monumental 2-1 victory over Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. “Always remember this game,” Renard said, his voice softening with nostalgia, “but the focus is to try to do the same in the near future.”That future now hinges on the looming fourth-round Asian Qualifiers in October, where Saudi Arabia will face Indonesia and Iraq in Group B. These matches will shape the nation’s path toward the 2026 tournament in North America. For Renard, preparation is already far advanced. Friendlies against North Macedonia and Czechia weren’t treated as dry rehearsal games. “The spirit was fantastic,” he emphasized. “We changed five players for each game, but the spirit was the same — the way we started, the way we finished. We didn’t treat them as friendlies. We were already thinking about October.”For Saudi Arabia, the road to qualification is also part of a broader journey. With the Kingdom set to host the 2034 World Cup, developing domestic talent is a critical piece of the long-term strategy. “The league is getting stronger,” said Renard. “So, it’s good for some Saudi players. Now they need to compete more. They are playing with very big players. That (will) bring them some experience. I’m sure they will get it. And they will be stronger for the future.”The evolution of Saudi Arabian football — both in the stars of today and the rising breed of tomorrow — is happening under Renard’s quiet but firm guidance. His vision blends tactical acuity with emotional intelligence, always underlined by the watchword of togetherness.From his solitary runs to the roaring crowds in Jeddah, where, he said, “The atmosphere can be incredible,” Renard’s leadership is as much about drawing strength from others as leading them. “I always tell the players (that) the fans will follow us if we show them we are determined, if we are motivated. The first actions come from us.”Ultimately, it may be Renard who starts the run, but it is Saudi Arabia that finishes it with him. “Let’s do it together,” he concluded. “It’s a collaborative kind of work.”From street to stadium, solitary stride to collective roar, Saudi Arabia’s road to qualification is one defined by shared vigor and unyielding determination. And under Herve Renard, the Kingdom marches forward — as one.Team V.DIR-EM-UAE