Former Nam Dinh coach criticized ahead of the match against Indonesia

Coach Herve Renard has been heavily criticized right before the 2026 World Cup qualifying match against Indonesia, with analysts doubting his choices in squad selection and the overall consistency of the Saudi Arabian team.

The Saudi Arabian national team is preparing for the crucial matches in the fourth round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, but Herve Renard, who once managed Nam Dinh in 2004, has become the focus of criticism just before the upcoming game against Indonesia on October 8.

According to the schedule, after facing Indonesia, Saudi Arabia will meet Iraq on October 14, while Patrick Kluivert’s team will face Iraq on October 11. Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Iraq are all in Group B, where the group winner will qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The runner-up must proceed to the fifth round, and the last-place team will be eliminated.

Amid intense competition, former star Fahad Al Harifi has voiced doubts about Renard’s capabilities. “I hope the Saudi team qualifies directly, but I am not very optimistic. Renard has no clear plan, having called up 56 different players throughout the qualifiers,” Al Harifi stated in an interview with Alaraby.

He believes Renard understands Saudi football and its stars, but lacks consistency in selecting players. A prime example is defender Saud Abdulhamid, who currently plays at Lens (France), being unexpectedly dropped from the squad in the most recent international match. “It’s puzzling that he went to Europe to gain experience and improve, yet was excluded from the national team. This reflects Renard’s inconsistency in his work approach,” Al Harifi emphasized.

He also mentioned that the Saudi team relies too much on luck instead of a proper personnel strategy: “It’s unacceptable for a coach who still doesn’t fully know the players’ abilities. We must secure World Cup qualification, or it will harm our football history.”

These criticisms have intensified as fans still remember Saudi Arabia’s 0-2 defeat to Indonesia at Gelora Bung Karno in November 2024. The rematch in October is therefore crucial, not only for points but also for Renard to prove his coaching competence.