Yasser Al-Misehal submitted his resignation as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after the national team was eliminated in the first round of the 2026 World Cup. The team finished last in its group with two draws and one loss. Al-Misehal took responsibility for the failure, in a context where citizens demand results following multi-million dollar investments in figures like Cristiano Ronaldo. His departure aims to pave the way for a new phase, while the country focuses on organizing the 2034 World Cup. 🏆
Sports planning and resource management in Saudi football 📊
Al-Misehal's resignation highlights the limits of a model that prioritizes high-profile signings over grassroots development. Saudi Arabia has invested in infrastructure and bringing stars to its local league, but the national team showed neither tactical cohesion nor generational renewal. Human and technical resource management requires a long-term strategy that integrates academies, coach training, and scouting. Without a solid structure, investments in veteran players do not guarantee results in elite tournaments. The new president will need to balance spending with sports planning.
When money can't buy goals: the Saudi lesson ⚽
Al-Misehal did what many executives dare not do: resign. But in Saudi Arabia, where fortunes have been spent on bringing Cristiano Ronaldo and other stars, the problem was not the president, but believing that a checkbook builds a team. The national team finished last in its group, proving that even the most expensive signings cannot prevent a bad match. Perhaps the next step is to hire a coach who charges by the minute played, or buy a VAR that also decides penalties in your favor. Meanwhile, the 2034 World Cup awaits.