Yasser al-Misehal, the head of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, has resigned following the national team’s early departure from the World Cup. The Green Falcons finished at the bottom of Group H, managing only two draws—against Uruguay and Cape Verde—while suffering a decisive 4-0 loss to Spain.
In a statement posted on social media, al-Misehal expressed his apologies, stating that the team’s inability to advance did not meet expectations. He accepted personal responsibility for the outcome and declared his intent to step down before his term concludes to allow for new leadership. During his seven-year tenure, al-Misehal was instrumental in securing Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
This year marked the nation’s third successive World Cup appearance. The team’s recent struggles include the dismissal of coach Herve Renard, who had returned to the position after Roberto Mancini’s departure. This turmoil coincides with a period of massive investment in the Saudi Pro League, where the kingdom has spent approximately two billion dollars to recruit international stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema.
