Saudi Football Chief Resigns After World Cup Exit

The president of Saudi Arabia’s Football Federation, Yasser Al-Misehal, has stepped down after the Green Falcons were eliminated from the World Cup in the first round.

Saudi Arabia ended up last in Group H with just two points. They had two draws, one against Uruguay (1, 1) and another against Cape Verde (0, 0). They also suffered a heavy 4, 0 loss to Spain.

“The failure of the national team to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result that falls short of all our ambitions, and I bear full responsibility for it. I offer my apologies to everyone who hoped to see our team in a better position,” he posted on X late Sunday.

“A sense of responsibility requires giving the opportunity to open a new chapter, and I have decided not to continue until the end of my current term,” he added.

Misehal has been at the head of the federation for seven years. He played a key role in Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 World Cup. This is part of a strategy to diversify an economy that heavily relies on oil.

This year, Saudi Arabia was in its third consecutive World Cup.

Before this, a series of poor results in friendly matches in March had already cost French coach Herve Renard his job. This ended Renard’s second term as coach after he returned to replace Italian Roberto Mancini.

The rich Gulf monarchy has spent nearly two billion dollars on football in the last three years. They have attracted big names like Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League, which is now one of the richest leagues in the world.