Saudi Arabia's national team preparations for the 2026 World Cup: Renard and Al-Mishal tour the clubs
The President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al-Misehal, and the national team's head coach, Frenchman Hervé Renard, concluded the first phase of their field visits to Saudi Professional League clubs. These intensive visits are part of a well-planned and early preparation strategy to ensure the national team's readiness for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
A comprehensive tour to strengthen partnerships with clubs
The first phase of the program included visits to top-tier clubs: Al-Qadisiyah, Al-Taawoun, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr, and Al-Hilal. These visits are scheduled to continue to include the remaining clubs in the coming period, as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at strengthening integration and technical partnership between the national team management and the clubs' coaching staff, to ensure a unified vision regarding the status of international players.
Renard and the focus on precise scientific details
During the visits, Hervé Renard reviewed the objectives for participation in the upcoming World Cup, emphasizing the importance of aligning club and national team commitments. The French coach didn't limit himself to tactical aspects, but also stressed the coaching staff's meticulous attention to detail regarding the players being considered for the international squad. This monitoring included fitness indicators, physiological data, with a particular focus on recovery and sleep programs, proper nutrition, and muscle development. This focus reflects the evolution of modern football, which relies heavily on scientific data to enhance preparation and minimize the risk of injuries. Renard is fully aware of the physical demands of the World Cup, drawing on his previous experience with the Saudi national team at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
Calendar crisis and season challenges
For his part, Yasser Al-Mishal raised a sensitive issue concerning the congested match schedule, urging critics of the Saudi competition calendar to offer practical solutions to assist the competitions committee and the football federation, specifically regarding the timing of the King's Cup semi-final matches. Al-Mishal stated frankly, "We don't want to play during the last ten days of Ramadan, but we are suffering from immense pressure in the competition calendar before the start of the World Cup training camps in the USA. Give me a solution.".
Al-Musahal’s statement reflects the great challenge that Saudi football is currently facing, as the development of the Roshan League and the attraction of international stars, in addition to the continental participation of clubs in the AFC Champions League, has led to an unprecedented congestion in the match schedule, which places a great burden on international players.
The importance of coordination for the future of green
Al-Musahal praised the cooperation of the clubs' administrations and technical staff, emphasizing that this harmony reflects an institutional awareness of the importance of prioritizing the national interest. These visits and the exchange of medical and technical data are a proactive step aimed at ensuring that Saudi players arrive at the summer of 2026 at their peak performance, having overcome the challenges of fatigue and the pressures of the season, to represent the Kingdom in the best possible way on the world stage.
