Saudi Arabia bets on former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Donis for World Cup role

Saudi Arabia has appointed Georgios Donis, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv coach, to lead its national team at the 2026 World Cup. The 56-year-old, who was born in Frankfurt, is one of 48 coaches on the touchline at the tournament and signed a contract through 2027, although the article says it is unlikely he will still be there for the kingdom’s 2034 World Cup, which it will host.

Donis’ spell at Maccabi Tel Aviv lasted only from August to December 2020. He took the team through one round in the Europa League, but was dismissed while it sat fifth in the league and was replaced by Patrick van Leeuwen. From there, his career in the Gulf became the key to his Saudi selection.

After leaving Maccabi, Donis coached Al Wahda, Al Fateh and Al Khaleej. His first Saudi stint at Al Hilal in 2014 made him the first Greek coach in the Saudi league, but the later jobs were mostly with smaller clubs. At Al Wahda he lasted six matches in 2021 before leaving after five points. At Al Fateh he stabilized the club, finishing eighth and then sixth, and later returned to Al Wahda and then Al Khaleej, where the team moved from 13th to 12th and then finished 10th before he left in April.

The article says Saudi Arabia chose him because he knows the domestic game and the Saudi player better than most candidates. He has coached at least 10 current or former national-team players, including star Salem Al-Dawsari, and local outlets credit him with helping players such as Feras Al Brikan develop into major Asian names. Reportedly, he was among the final three candidates alongside Hervé Renard, who led Saudi Arabia to its famous win over Argentina and returned in 2024.

With foreign stars dominating the Saudi league, Donis is seen as a coach suited to the national team’s more organized style rather than pure attacking flair. Saudi media said he has experience at every level of the local league, from title races to relegation battles, and can make quick changes because he understands the players and infrastructure. The team hopes that profile will help it reach the knockout stage, with four points likely enough from a group that includes Spain, Uruguay and Cape Verde.