JEDDAH – Saudi Arabia’s national team coach, Herve Renard, has emphasized the crucial role of the upcoming friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Algeria in preparing the squad for future competitions, particularly the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Renard stated that the decision to play against these strong African teams during the Jeddah training camp was a deliberate strategy to test the team’s capabilities against formidable opponents.
“These African tests are of significant importance in gauging the readiness of the Saudi national team,” Renard explained. “Facing opponents of this caliber enhances the team’s preparation for major events.”
He further elaborated that encountering strong teams like Algeria and Ivory Coast presents a necessary challenge that could prove beneficial should the draw for the World Cup group stage pit them against African nations.
While acknowledging that the Arab Cup is not a direct preparatory stage for the World Cup, Renard noted that it provides him with an opportunity to discover new players and evaluate their abilities in a competitive setting. He affirmed that the tournament represents a valuable chance for players to represent the national team.
“The friendly matches against Ivory Coast and Algeria constitute a fundamental stop within the preparation program,” Renard said. “They contribute to building a more prepared team ahead of the upcoming challenges.”
The Saudi team aims to leverage these matches to fine-tune their strategies and solidify team cohesion before embarking on their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
