Thomas Siniecki, Media365: published on Wednesday November 13, 2024 at 4:12 p.m.
The future host country of the 2034 World Cup must naturally ensure its presence in 2026, with its adored French coach.
As if nothing had changed. Hervé Renard, the time of an 18-month interlude finally disenchanted at the head of the French women's team – with the failure in the quarter-finals of Paris 2024 -, will once again lead the Saudi Arabia that he had led to the feat against the future Argentinian champions at the 2022 World Cup (2-1), a victory which notably established a public holiday in the country. “It’s special, I actually have the impression of never having left this team. I know three quarters of the players.” A fact which will perhaps not be too much in view of the qualifications for the next 2026 edition, because the Saudis are not so well on board, which caused the dismissal of Roberto Mancini and therefore his replacement by Hervé Renard.
“We still have very good memories together, but it’s in the past”
Third in their third round group with five points, tied with Australia where the returning coach will begin his second adventure on Thursday (kick-off at 10 a.m. French time), the Saudis must finish in the first two of their group to qualify directly within the Asia zone. Third or fourth place will send to a fourth round, two groups of three teams of which only the winner will in turn be qualified – and finally a jump-off between the two second places, which will again send to the final intercontinental jump-off. While the first leg ends on Thursday (fifth day out of ten), they are also two points behind fifth place Indonesia and therefore virtual elimination.
“We're not in a very good position, but not very bad either. So we still have six games to play to qualify, that's our goal. We still have very good memories together, but it's is in the past. We now have to look to these qualifications. It's a very important match, but we don't underestimate Indonesia and Bahrain who won in Australia. We always talk about us or the Australians. think it will be a big battle between three or four teams for second place.” The first being a priori devolved to Japan, in the lead with already five steps ahead.
