Renard expecting no let-up from Japan as Saudis eye World Cup spot

AFP | Riyadh

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Coach Herve Renard said Saudi Arabia are in a “tough sprint” to reach the 2026 World Cup but he is not expecting any favours from already qualified Japan today.

The Saudis are in third place in Group C in the third round of Asian qualifying and trail second-place Australia by a point with three games remaining. The top two teams advance directly to next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, while the third- and fourth-place sides go into another qualifying round.

Runaway group leaders Japan have already clinched their place and Renard is not expecting them to take their foot off the gas when they face his Saudi side in Saitama.