Saudi FA presidency race narrowed as second candidate withdraws

The race to succeed Yasser Al-Misehal as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has been reduced to five candidates after Daoud Al-Muqrin withdrew from the election, according to Saudi newspaper Al Jazirah.

The development follows the earlier withdrawal of Maied Al-Shehri, a member of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The federation opened the nomination process to those seeking the presidency, with applications due to close at 17:00 local time on Saturday.

Al Riyadiya had reported that six candidates were in contention, with Khalid Al-Ghamdi, the former president of Al-Ahli, among those seeking the position.

However, Al Jazirah subsequently reported that Al-Muqrin had also decided not to stand. As a result, the election for the federation presidency will now be contested by five candidates.

The remaining names are Khalid Al-Ghamdi, Hatem Khaimi, Badr Al-Ruzaiza, Yahya Al-Sharif and Ahmed Al-Wadعي.

The election is scheduled to take place on 30 August, with the successful candidate set to serve as president until 2030.

The leadership change was prompted by Al-Misehal’s resignation. He stepped down after Saudi Arabia’s men’s national team, known as the Green Falcons, were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup in the group stage.

The tournament is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Saudi Arabia’s exit brought Al-Misehal’s time as head of the country’s football governing body to an end and triggered the process to choose his successor.

The federation’s decision to keep nominations open until Saturday’s deadline means the final list of candidates is being established only days before the vote. Al Riyadiya’s initial report identified six contenders, but Al-Muqrin’s withdrawal has changed the shape of the contest.

Al-Ghamdi is the most prominent name in the field identified so far, having previously led Al-Ahli. Khaimi, Al-Ruzaiza, Al-Sharif and Al-Wadعي are also seeking the opportunity to lead Saudi Arabia’s football federation for the next presidential term.

The successful candidate will take up the role with a mandate running through 2030, following the conclusion of an election held in the aftermath of Saudi Arabia’s World Cup campaign and Al-Misehal’s resignation.