Yasser Al-Misehal has resigned as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), according to official sources. The resignation comes after the Saudi national team was eliminated in the group stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is currently being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Al-Misehal, who had led the federation since 2019, submitted his resignation on June 28, 2026, following a meeting of the SAFF board. The board accepted his resignation and thanked him for his service. No immediate successor has been named.
The Saudi team finished third in Group C, behind Argentina and Poland, with one win and two losses. The early exit was seen as a disappointment given the significant investments in Saudi football, including high-profile player transfers to the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Misehal's tenure saw Saudi Arabia qualify for the 2022 and 2026 World Cups, as well as a historic victory over eventual champions Argentina in 2022. However, the 2026 performance failed to meet expectations, leading to his departure.
The SAFF has announced it will begin the search for a new president immediately, with a focus on developing youth talent and improving the national team's competitiveness.
