Renard Rallies Green Falcons for Final World Cup Showdown Against Australia

Saudi Arabia face a monumental challenge in their final World Cup qualifier against Australia on Wednesday, needing a victory by at least five goals to secure a direct spot at the 2026 tournament in North America.

Ahead of the decisive clash at a sold-out King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Green Falcons coach Hervé Renard has urged his players to embrace the “nothing to lose” mentality and deliver a performance to “satisfy our fans.”

The task is immense, with Australia holding a three-point lead and a significant advantage in goal difference. Renard acknowledged that the odds are stacked against his side, with many expecting Saudi Arabia to contest a fourth-stage playoff in October.

“For a lot of people, we are already in the playoffs in October. This, I feel, is what 99% of the people are thinking,” Renard said. “So we don’t have anything to lose. We just have to be ready to enjoy it and to satisfy our fans.”

This mindset is intended to free the Saudi players to attack from the outset, seeking an early goal that would ignite the home crowd and apply immense pressure on the Australians. With the Saudi Arabian Football Federation making tickets for the fixture free of charge, a passionate and unified home support is guaranteed.

While confident, the Australian camp is not taking their position for granted. Socceroos midfielder Riley McGree insisted his team’s motivation will be equal to their opponents’. “We’re going to be just as desperate as they are,” McGree said. “We want to win, we want to play our best football, and we want to put it beyond doubt as soon as possible.”

Australian coach Tony Popovic echoed that sentiment, stating his team embraces the challenge of playing in the cauldron-like atmosphere of Jeddah.

Despite the difficult equation, the Green Falcons are focused on creating a memorable night and potentially staging a miraculous turnaround to clinch their ticket to the World Cup.