Yasser Al Misehal has officially stepped down as President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after the national team’s elimination in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Citing the team’s disappointing campaign and accepting full responsibility for the outcome, Al Misehal said his decision was made to pave the way for new leadership.
"The national team's failure to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result that falls short of all our ambitions," Al-Misehal wrote on social media.
"I bear full responsibility for it, apologising to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position.
"Based on my conviction that responsibility requires providing the opportunity for a new phase, I have decided not to continue until the end of the current term."
Saudi Arabia, appearing in their seventh FIFA World Cup, ended their campaign without advancing beyond the group stage. The Green Falcons opened with a draw against Uruguay, suffered a 4-0 defeat to Spain, and finished with a scoreless draw against Cape Verde. The result ended their hopes of matching or surpassing their memorable run to the knockout stage at the 1994 World Cup.
