Renard credits WC qualification to Saudi fans, Lopetegui hails history makers Qatar

Herve Renard praised Saudi Arabia's fans after pushing the country to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Iraq in Jeddah on Tuesday while also paying tribute to his late mother.

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The draw at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium ensured the Saudis finished on top of Group B in the AFC Asian Qualifiers as the country joined Japan, South Korea Republic, Australia, Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Qatar at the 48-team tournament.

"I was expecting a lot of people but the atmosphere was fantastic," said Renard. "They pushed the players. Even though Salem (Al Dawsari) got the man of the match, I think this evening it was the fans.

"It was not easy a few months ago, but we did it and this is the most important."

The result capped a challenging period for the Frenchman, who returned to Saudi Arabia to replace Roberto Mancini in October 2024 before being impacted by the death of his mother at the start of 2025.

"It was very emotional for me," said Renard. "My mother passed away in February, she was in the stands in Lusail Stadium (at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar) when we beat Argentina.

"The last time I saw her was in January and she told me, 'I won't be able to see you at the next World Cup but do your best to qualify the team'. When I was asked the question, the emotion came and I'm thinking of her, she protects me."