The President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al-Misehal, has resigned following the Green Falcons’ disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the group stage.
Key Highlight:
- Yasser Al-Misehal resigned as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation following Saudi Arabia’s group-stage elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H with two points after draws against Uruguay and Cape Verde, and a 4-0 defeat to Spain.
- Al-Misehal accepted full responsibility for the national team’s failure, apologising to supporters and stating that stepping aside would allow for a “new chapter.”
- During his seven-year tenure, Al-Misehal played a significant role in securing Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
- The disappointing World Cup campaign came after the departure of French coach Hervé Renard, who left his position in March during his second spell in charge of the national team.
Saudi Arabia finished bottom of Group H with two points after drawing 1-1 with Uruguay and 0-0 with Cape Verde, before suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Spain, ending their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
Announcing his decision in a post on X on Monday Nigerian time, Al-Misehal accepted full responsibility for the team’s failure.
“The failure of the national team to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result that falls short of all our ambitions, and I bear full responsibility for it.
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I offer my apologies to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position,” he wrote.
He added that stepping aside was the responsible course of action.
“A sense of responsibility requires giving the opportunity to open a new chapter, and I have decided not to continue until the end of my current term,” he said.
Al-Misehal served as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for seven years, during which he played a key role in securing Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup as part of the kingdom’s broader economic diversification plans.
Saudi Arabia were making their third consecutive World Cup appearance but failed to progress beyond the group stage.
The team’s disappointing campaign followed a turbulent build-up that saw French coach Hervé Renard leave his post after a series of poor results in March, bringing his second spell in charge to an end. Renard had returned to replace Italian manager Roberto Mancini.
Over the past three years, Saudi Arabia has invested nearly $2 billion in football, attracting global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League in a bid to boost the sport’s profile in the kingdom.
