Yasser Al-Misehal, President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, has stepped down from his position following the national team’s early exit from the ongoing FIFA World Cup.
Saudi Arabia’s campaign ended in disappointment as the Green Falcons finished bottom of Group H with just two points.
The team recorded draws against Uruguay (1–1) and Cape Verde (0–0), but suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat to Spain, sealing their elimination in the group stage.
In a statement shared on social media, Al-Misehal took full responsibility for the team’s performance, acknowledging that the outcome fell short of expectations.
“The failure of the national team to qualify for the next round of the World Cup falls below our ambitions. I take full responsibility and extend my apologies to everyone who expected better results,” he said.
He added that his decision to resign was driven by a sense of accountability and the need to allow new leadership to steer the federation forward.
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“A sense of responsibility requires giving the opportunity to open a new chapter. Therefore, I have decided not to continue until the end of my current term,” he stated.
Al-Misehal, who led the federation for seven years, played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup — a major part of the country’s broader strategy to diversify its economy beyond oil.
Saudi Arabia’s recent football investments have been significant, with nearly $2 billion spent over the past three years to elevate the sport domestically.
This includes attracting global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League.
Despite these efforts, the national team struggled on the global stage, with inconsistent performances leading up to the tournament. The poor run of results had already resulted in the dismissal of French coach Hervé Renard earlier this year.
The resignation marks a turning point for Saudi football as the nation looks to rebuild and align its ambitions with future international success.
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