Yasser Al-Misehal announced his resignation as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in a post on X, multiple outlets including Reuters reported on June 29, 2026. “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,” Al-Misehal wrote. “I offer my apologies to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position. 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.” The statement added that procedures would begin to open nominations for a new board of directors per federation regulations.
The resignation follows the Green Falcons’ bottom-place finish in Group H, which featured two draws and a 4-0 defeat to Spain, according to Al Jazeera coverage of the tournament. Al-Misehal had led the federation since 2019, a seven-year period that included participation in the 2022 and 2026 FIFA World Cups. His tenure also saw the national team advance to the round of 16 at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup, Arab News reported.
In the X post Al-Misehal thanked King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and federation board members for their support throughout his term. He stated that although he was leaving his position he would remain committed to serving his country and supporting Saudi sport development. The announcement, which drew on his conviction that accountability opens the door to fresh leadership, was echoed across outlets including The Hindu and Punch Newspapers.
Al-Misehal’s time at the helm coincided with major investments in Saudi football that attracted international talent to the Pro League, as noted in Kuwait Times reporting on the period. He also contributed to the kingdom’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, according to summaries carried by multiple regional publications. Those advancements occurred even as the federation navigated the expectations surrounding the national team’s performance at global tournaments.
Prior to his SAFF role Al-Misehal had served as president of the Saudi Pro League starting in 2016, Wikipedia entries on his career record. The federation under his leadership focused on both professional growth and grassroots initiatives that aligned with broader national sports strategies. His departure sets the stage for new leadership as Saudi football continues preparations for future events including the 2034 World Cup on home soil.
