Saudi FA president Badr Al-Raziza targets success in Gulf Cup and Asian Cup

Badr Al-Raziza has taken charge of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after being elected unopposed on Sunday, beginning a new era with a pledge to build on the progress made during Yasser Al-Misehal’s seven-year presidency.

Al-Raziza used his first remarks as president to thank Al-Misehal and the previous board, while setting out his intention to continue developing Saudi football and pursue success in the Gulf Cup and Asian Cup.

The new president said he had not prepared a speech for the occasion because he wanted to deliver one message above all others.

“I did not prepare any words, and I did not organise anything, because I was keen on one thing, which was to say: thank you, Yasser Al-Misehal, you and your colleagues. Seven years was not a short period,” Al-Raziza said, according to a report from Asharq Al-Awsat’s account on X.

Al-Misehal completed seven years as chairman of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation before Al-Raziza’s election. The new president praised the outgoing board for its work and acknowledged the scale of the task it had undertaken.

“Seven years were not easy for the previous board, and we thank our colleagues for what they provided and what they did during their previous term,” Al-Raziza was quoted as saying by Al-Riyadiya.

Saudi football has received significant financial backing from the country’s leadership and the Ministry of Sport, support Al-Raziza described as an important factor in sustaining its development.

“Today, Saudi football is witnessing noticeable financial support from the leadership and the Ministry of Sport. We hope to continue the achievements, and we have the Gulf Cup and the Asian Cup ahead of us, and we aim to win both,” he said.

The football authorities have previously overseen a period of major development in the Saudi game, and Al-Raziza said his administration would seek to extend that progress rather than treat the change in leadership as a break from the past.

He also warned that the new board faced substantial responsibilities and would need to increase its efforts during the next stage.

“There is a great deal of work ahead of us, and we seek to do more work and development, and for our sport to be at the forefront of the countries of the world,” Al-Raziza said.

The new Saudi Arabian Football Federation board is led by Al-Raziza, with Louay Mashabi as vice-president. Its seven other members are Lamia Bahaian, Fahad Al-Mansour, Salman Al-Sudairi, Thamer Al-Saadoun, Omar Al-Juraisi, Nicolas Coard and Gerard Roudy.

Al-Raziza’s election by acclamation formally ends Al-Misehal’s period in charge and places responsibility for the next phase of Saudi football’s development with the new board. Its immediate ambitions include competing for continental and regional honours while maintaining the momentum generated by the financial support available to the sport.