AFC Asian Qualifiers
The draw at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium ensured the Saudis finished on top of Group B in the AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26 Playoffs as the country joined Japan, Korea Republic, Australia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Uzbekistan, Jordan and Qatar at the 48-team tournament.
#AsianQualifiers - Road To 26 Playoffs | Group B : Saudi Arabia 0-0 Iraq
“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.”
Iraq coach Graham Arnold, meanwhile, asked for patience after seeing his side finish second in Group B to secure a place in the next phase of the Qualifiers, when his team will play the United Arab Emirates in a two-legged playoff.
“The players have given me everything they had,” said Arnold. “They ended up with four points, we didn't concede a goal in this tournament.
“We are still in it and all the Iraqi media and fans need to stay positive because we are through to the next phase with games in November, so World Cup qualification goes on.
“I'm sorry to the Iraq fans, but they have to understand we're still in it. We have to stay positive.”
Iraq have not appeared at the FIFA World Cup since the Finals were held in Mexico in 1986 but Arnold, who took his native Australia through the playoffs to qualify for the 2022 edition, is confident his team can still qualify.
“Iraq always does everything the hard way and we've got to keep believing,” he said. “Aymen Hussein is a big loss but I expect him to be fit for November."
“I would've loved, after being here for four months, to easily qualify but we go on, we go forward. The boys have to get back to their clubs, they have to work hard and get ready for November.
“With Australia, I qualified through the playoffs. It's not how you get there, it's getting there.”
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