Saudi Arabia World Cup Profile | Can Hervé Renard repeat his AFCON success? | OneFootball

The Plan | Rising expectation after an eventually dominant World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign has plateaued in the wake of a demanding group-stage draw and mixed friendly results. Saudi Arabia were Asia’s success story in the third qualifying round, topping a tough pool while successfully developing their next generation. Reality bit, however, in the aftermath with four winless friendlies versus opposition drawn from the Americas (June’s 1-0 defeats to Colombia and Venezuela, plus September’s goalless stalemates with Ecuador and United States).

These latter scorelines and an exacting draw which has pitted the Green Falcons versus Lionel Messi’s Argentina, Robert Lewandowski’s Poland and perennial dark horses Mexico has not, however, tempered head coach Hervé Renard’s belief. “Even though we are in a tough group, you have to be ambitious,” he told Fifa.com ahead of a second successive World Cup, having previously guided Morocco in Russia. “Going to the World Cup without ambition is pointless. We have to push ourselves, believe we have a chance and push ourselves to the limit.”

The debonair Renard – he of Africa Cup of Nations-winning fame with Zambia and Ivory Coast, plus an incongruous prior stint at Cambridge United – tweaked his tactics slightly for these warm-ups, going from the established 4-2-3-1 utilised competitively to a 4-3-3. Energy, injury permitting, should come from exceptional full-backs Yasser Al Shahrani and Sultan Al Ghanam, midfield control from Al Hilal icon Salman Al Faraj and inspiration from exceptional winger Salem Al Dawsari. Al Nassr magician Sami Al Najei is the squad’s wildcard. There is talent aplenty and belief a repetition of the lionised run to the knockouts at the 1994 World Cup is achievable. Knocks must be shaken off for this to happen by all of the above-mentioned performers – with particular emphasis on Al Dawsari’s condition – during a training camp across the border in Abu Dhabi, featuring five friendlies.

The Coach | Hervé Renard’s impressive achievements in Africa made him the man chosen to establish order within Saudi ranks after Juan Antonio Pizzi’s underachievement at the 2018 World Cup and the Asian Cup the following year. A slow start – headlined by September 2019’s rollercoaster 2-2 qualifying draw versus Yemen – made way for punishing consistency in a consummate third round. Renard’s side topped Group B ahead of Japan and Australia, while blooding youngsters such as Abdulelah Al Amri, Abdulelah Al Malki, Firas Al Buraikan and Al Najei. The Frenchman’s regular presence in Roshn Saudi League stands and clear development on the pitch makes the nation feel they are in safe hands.

Star Player | Salem Al Dawsari (Al Hilal). ‘The Tornado’ is expected to leave a trail of devastation in Group C, recovery from appendix surgery permitting. He has built on the winner against Egypt at the 2018 World Cup, netting regularly at global and continental tournaments. The 31-year-old’s acumen inspired former Al Hilal team-mate Bafetimbi Gomis to tweet a picture of them together after October 2021’s iconic AFC Champions League display versus Al Nass, with the gushing caption: “A photo very representative of the admiration I have for him. The best Asian player.”

Unsung Hero | Saleh Al Shehri (Al Hilal). Much has changed since the unsatisfactory outing at the World Cup four years ago. That is, however, apart from up front, where uncertainty still reigns. Different camps are pressing for on-song Al Fateh striker Al Buraikan and Hilal’s Saleh Al Shehri. It is the former who is expected to get the nod versus Argentina, but don’t discount the latter’s role off the bench. Al Shehri is an unselfish performer and underrated finisher, whose “perma-sub” role at Hilal deflects attention. An impressive seven goals in 13 qualifying appearances tells its own story, including key strikes versus Oman, Vietnam and China.

Probable Line-up | 4-3-3 – Al Owais – Al Ghanam, Al Amri, Al Bulaihi, Al Shahrani – Al Najei, Sharahili, Al Faraj – S. Al Dawsari, Al Buraikan, Bahebri

Qatar Stance | Saudi Arabia has moved closer to Qatar after the GCC crisis of 2017-21 saw themselves, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic ties with the World Cup 2022 host. Last year’s Al-Ula declaration brought an official end to this chapter of regional history. Football played a symbolic role in the finale, with Saudi Arabia’s participation in November 2019’s Arabian Gulf Cup in Doha signaling a thaw in relations. “Today we have unbelievable, amazing relations with Qatar,” Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman told The Atlantic in March. “Sheikh Tamim [is] an amazing person, an amazing leader.”

National Anthem | The national anthem (an-Našīd al-Waṭanī as-Suʿūdī) brings together essential components of Saudi Arabian life; the centrality of Islam, and importance of the King. Origins can be traced to King Abdulaziz’s 1947 visit to Egypt. Lyrics were added in 1958 and updated in 1984. “God is the greatest! O my homeland! My homeland, Live as the pride of Muslims! Long live the King, For the flag, And the homeland,” it exalts.

Cult Hero | When the wider football world thinks of Saudi Arabia, it does not gravitate towards 72-goal record marksman Majed Abdullah or 178-times-capped goalkeeper Mohamed Al Deayea. Memory snaps back to a boiling day at Washington’s RFK Stadium in 1994 and Saeed Al Owairan’s iconic moment. The forward charged through the Belgium lines, netting one of the World Cup’s great solo goals of all time. Although off-field issues ensured he featured sporadically at World Cup 1998, the long-term Al Shabab servant holds a special place in national lore. This lasting affection was exemplified by August’s reveal as a ‘FUT Hero’ on the 2023 edition of the FIFA computer game series.