Saudi FA appoints Bader Al-Ruzaiza for 2026-30 term

Bader Al-Ruzaiza has been confirmed as the new president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after his election list was approved unopposed for the organisation’s next four-year term.

The federation’s general assembly formally endorsed the list on Sunday after election officials confirmed that it met all the required conditions and regulations. As it was the only eligible list to proceed, no vote was needed.

Al-Ruzaiza will serve as president, with Loay Mashabi appointed vice-president. The proposed board also includes seven members: Lamia Bahaian, Fahad Al-Mansour, Salman Al-Sudairi, Thamer Al-Saadoun, Omar Al-Juraisi, Nicolas Couard and Gerard Rudi.

The appointments cover the sixth term of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s board, running from 2026 to 2030.

The final list of candidates for the positions of president, vice-president and board members was announced by the federation’s election committee last Wednesday. That announcement followed the completion of procedures relating to appeals and objections, as well as the expiry of the deadline for candidates to withdraw.

The election process followed a timetable announced on 16 July. The final list was approved in line with that schedule before the contest was settled through an uncontested endorsement rather than a ballot.

Al-Ruzaiza succeeds Yasser Al-Misehal and begins a four-year mandate as head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation.

The confirmation brings the election process to an end after the committee had reviewed the final candidate list and established that the sole group standing for office had fulfilled the relevant electoral requirements. With no competing list remaining, the general assembly was able to approve the nominees directly.

The new board will therefore oversee the federation during the 2026-2030 cycle, with Al-Ruzaiza leading the organisation alongside Mashabi and the seven appointed board members. The composition of the board was included in the federation’s announcement confirming the outcome of the sixth election cycle.