Herve Renard: The common link between Morocco success and Saudi promise

Morocco are the toast of world football having reached the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup, but the journey to the last four did not come out of nowhere and it is one that has been watched closely elsewhere in the region.

Four years ago, the Atlas Lions were placed in a tough group in Russia with Spain, Portugal and Iran but just could not get past the group stage. The story of Saudi Arabia in 2022 sounds similar. The Green Falcons were placed in a tough group in Qatar with Argentina, Poland and Mexico and impressed but could not quite get out of their group.

There is a connection between the two teams and the two tournaments and that is Herve Renard. In 2018, he was in charge of Morocco and now, the Frenchman is in charge of the Green Falcons. He has had quite an impact at this tournament and, as he has a contract in Riyadh until 2027, perhaps in the next one, too.

When he watched the North Africans defeat Portugal in the quarterfinals, Renard must have felt pride in his old team for what they had done over the last month. He must also have felt renewed motivation toward the team he now leads. The parallels are obvious as is the conclusion that can be drawn: What Morocco did in the four years between Russia and Qatar, Saudi Arabia could do between Qatar and the US, Canada and Mexico.

Renard spent three and a half years in Morocco before leaving in the summer of 2019 and swapping Rabat for Riyadh. He saw the Mohammed VI Academy, a world-class training facility that opened in 2009 with top-class facilities, coaching and education. Graduates include now world-famous players such as Azzedine Ounahi, Youssef En-Nesyri and Nayef Aguerd.

The investment made and the patience shown at all levels — the women reached the