Saudi Sports: “Regragui is 80% likely to coach Saudi Arabia”
Express TV: Mostafa Filali
The future of the Saudi Arabian national football team’s coaching staff is witnessing rapid developments, amid growing speculation about a potential change in technical leadership following recent criticism of French coach Hervé Renard.
According to Saudi media reports, Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui has emerged as a leading candidate to take over the coaching of the “Green Falcons” in the upcoming period. Sources indicate that negotiations between the two parties have reached advanced stages, with strong indications that an official agreement could be finalized soon, particularly with reports suggesting an 80% likelihood of closing the deal.
This potential move comes in the wake of a series of results that have fallen short of Saudi fans’ expectations, the most notable being a heavy defeat to Egypt in a friendly match as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup. This loss triggered widespread criticism in media and sports circles.
Regragui is considered one of the prominent coaching figures in the Arab and African football scene, having led the Moroccan national team to a historic achievement during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reaching the semifinals—marking a first for an Arab and African team. This remarkable record makes him an attractive option for the Saudi Football Federation, which is seeking to rebuild a strong team capable of competing on both the continental and international stages.
Conversely, Hervé Renard’s fate with the Saudi national team remains uncertain, as the days ahead may bring official decisions that could reshape the “Green Falcons'” coaching staff before upcoming competitions.
Amid media affirmations and fans’ anticipation, the question of who will succeed Renard stands as one of the hottest topics in Saudi football at the moment, as the team aims to regain its balance and present itself honorably on international platforms.
