Mondial-2026: le président de la Fédération saoudienne de football a démissionné
Saudi Arabia's football president, Yasser al-Misehal, announced his resignation late Sunday after the Green Falcons were eliminated in the first round of the 2026 World Cup.
Saudi Arabia finished last in Group H with two points, after two draws against Uruguay (1-1) and Cape Verde (0-0), and a heavy defeat (4-0) against Spain.
"The national team's failure to qualify for the next round of the World Cup is a result below all our ambitions, and I take full responsibility for it. I apologize to all those who hoped to see our team in a better position," Mr. Misehal wrote on X.
"Convinced that a sense of responsibility requires offering the opportunity to open a new phase, I have decided not to continue until the end of my current term," he continued.
At the helm of the Federation for seven years, Mr. Misehal played a central role in the bid that enabled the kingdom to secure the organization of the 2034 World Cup, a key element of its strategy to diversify its economy, which is still very dependent on oil, by attracting tourists and investors.
Saudi Arabia was competing in its third consecutive World Cup. A series of poor results in friendly matches during preparation in March had already cost French coach Hervé Renard his job, ending his second stint after returning to replace Italian Roberto Mancini.
The powerful Gulf monarchy has invested nearly two billion dollars in football in three years, recruiting Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema, to make the Saudi Pro League one of the most financially attractive leagues in the world.
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