Hervé Renard, the coach of the Saudi Arabian national football team, plans to summon 50 players for the upcoming international break in March as part of the preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He confirmed that Khaled Al-Ghannam from Al-Ettifaq will be included in his squad. Additionally, the team is scheduled to play friendly matches against Egypt and Serbia in Doha. However, ongoing regional conflicts, particularly recent missile attacks attributed to Iran following American and Israeli strikes, raise concerns about the possibility of holding these matches.

Renard expressed his intention to maximize the evaluation of players ahead of the World Cup taking place in North America next summer. His strategy involves dividing the player call-up into two groups, thus enabling him to assess more talent. The decision comes amid the complexities of arranging international fixtures in a region impacted by geopolitical tensions, potentially affecting match venues and player safety.

In a notable move to enhance his team's preparation, Renard has enlisted Luigi Di Biagio, the coach of the Saudi Olympic team, to assist him in this extensive player evaluation process. This partnership aims to ensure that Renard has comprehensive insights into the capabilities of the players prior to finalizing the squad for the World Cup, reflecting a proactive approach to national team preparation in a challenging and uncertain environment.