Saudi FA president Badr Al-Raziza says Gulf title belongs to players and predecessor

Saudi Football Federation president Badr Al-Raziza has rejected suggestions that he and his board should take credit for Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Gulf Cup “Khaleeji 27” triumph, saying it was achieved through work that began long before his election.

Saudi Arabia defeated United Arab Emirates 2-0 in Tuesday’s final at Alinma Stadium in Jeddah to win the title for the fourth time.

Al-Raziza was asked by Al Kass whether he had become one of the fastest football association presidents to win a trophy with the national team, having replaced Yasser Al-Misehal only 38 days earlier.

“The players, the head coach and Yasser Al-Misehal, the former president of the football association, are the ones who won the tournament, not Badr Al-Raziza,” he said.

“It would be ignorant to believe that my board and I could win a tournament in only 38 days. That is impossible and illogical.”

Al-Raziza said the new administration had been responsible for overseeing the outcome, but not for creating the foundations that led to it.

“It is true that my board and I achieved the result, but the reality is that the work has been under way for a long time,” he said. “We have seen development in the age-group teams, the academies and across all the leagues.”

The Saudi president also praised the squad for coping with a demanding schedule and a series of injuries during the competition.

“To be honest, injuries really hurt us,” he said. “The players had played seven league rounds before featuring in five matches in the tournament, yet they performed well despite the enormous psychological pressure they carried.”

He added: “I thank them for the spirit I saw throughout the time I spent with them during the tournament.”

Al-Raziza said Saudi Arabia’s teams continued to compete strongly, but argued that officials in sport were often judged too narrowly by the number of trophies they won.

“Thankfully, the Saudi national team is always present and always competitive, and Saudi sport is constantly producing talent,” he said.

“But unfortunately, in sport the assessment is always based on the questions: what championships have you won and what have you achieved? That is unfair.”

Long-term planning for 2034

Looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2034, Al-Raziza said preparations would need to begin with players who were only 14 years old.

“If we are talking about the 2034 World Cup, we must start preparing players aged 14 from now,” he said. “It is a long-term project and requires patience. God willing, in 2034 someone other than me will be responsible for achieving the results of the work we begin.”

In comments to Al-Riyadiya, Al-Raziza thanked the Minister of Sport and the country’s leadership for their generous backing and for supporting the tournament.

“Thankfully, this is a celebration that has not happened for 23 years,” he said.

Saudi Arabia’s victory ended that 23-year wait for the Arabian Gulf title and secured the fourth championship in the country’s history. Al-Raziza also offered special thanks to Al Kass for its coverage and for presenting a positive image of Jeddah, while acknowledging Yasser Al-Misehal’s contribution to the work that led to the success.