World Cup 2026: Saudi federation president Yasser Al-Misehal resigns after group-stage exit

The head of Saudi Arabian Football Federation has stepped down following the national team’s disappointing early exit from the World Cup, bringing an abrupt end to Yasser Al-Misehal’s seven-year tenure.

Saudi Arabia’s campaign ended in frustration as they finished bottom of Group H with just two points, drawing with Uruguay and Cape Verde before falling to Spain. The results fell far short of expectations for a team appearing at their third consecutive World Cup and seventh overall.

Al-Misehal confirmed his resignation on social media, accepting full responsibility for the team’s failure to progress.

“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,” he wrote.

“I bear full responsibility for it, apologising to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position.”

He added that stepping aside was necessary to allow a new direction for the federation moving forward.

“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.”

A tenure defined by ambition and pressure

Al-Misehal’s departure comes after a period of major transformation in Saudi football, both on and off the pitch. During his leadership, the country secured the right to host the 2034 World Cup, a landmark achievement in its sporting ambitions and global positioning.

However, the national team’s progress on the field has failed to consistently match the scale of investment and ambition off it. Expectations were high heading into the tournament, especially given the level of preparation and resources allocated to the squad.

Those preparations were disrupted in the final weeks before the competition when the federation made a late coaching change, replacing Hervé Renard with Georgios Donis less than two months before kick-off, a decision that drew scrutiny after the team’s underwhelming performances.

High investment, low return on the global stage

Saudi Arabia’s World Cup disappointment comes against the backdrop of unprecedented investment in domestic football. In recent years, the Saudi Pro League has attracted a wave of global stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, as part of a wider strategy to elevate the country’s football profile.

Despite these high-profile arrivals and increased attention on the domestic game, the national team struggled to translate progress into results on football’s biggest stage.

Uncertain direction ahead of rebuilding phase

The early exit has therefore triggered immediate accountability at the top level, with Al-Misehal choosing to step down rather than oversee the next phase of restructuring.

Saudi Arabia now faces a critical period of reassessment as it looks to align long-term investment with international performance.

With hosting rights for the 2034 World Cup secured and expectations rising, attention will turn to how the federation rebuilds its national team structure to avoid repeating a similar outcome on home soil in the future.