Sami Al-Mughamsi

Who Will Lead the Saudi Football Federation in the Toughest Stage?

14 July 2026 - 00:01 | Last update 14 July 2026 - 00:01

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- Who is the next president of the Saudi Football Federation? A question that arises strongly after the unsatisfactory results of the Saudi national team in the World Cup, which did not live up to expectations. We expected the results to match the great and unlimited support from the wise leadership of sports, especially since football has become a soft power and a vital investment.

- With respect to the names being circulated and nominated for the presidency, which are well-known in the sports community, the truth confirms that the ambition is much greater; the next stage requires a capable president who possesses the qualifications to manage important files. We have continental and international participations ahead, as well as hosting world tournaments where the Saudi national team must be at the peak of its readiness. A strong team must be built capable of achieving higher expectations. All the ingredients are available for the 'Green' from strong support and attention from the Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki. I am confident that there is a comprehensive study of the team's participations in recent years that did not meet the great ambitions; rather, the team's level has declined significantly after we used to dominate the Asian continent.

- The success of any sports federation is primarily measured by the first team and the championships and results it achieves.

- There are sports federation presidents whose achievements still linger in memory after they recorded the best results. Among these names is Prince Faisal bin Fahd, may God have mercy on him, when he headed the Saudi Football Federation; he possessed the charisma, personality, and vision that put the Saudi national team in its best form as champion of Asia and with a stunning presence in the 1994 World Cup in America.

- Today, we need a man to lead the football federation with thought, relationships, and a future vision that aligns with the goals of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 and its subsequent aspirations. This vision has achieved a lot, and we have begun to reap its fruits in various fields after turning our dreams into tangible reality.

- Therefore, we must move away from the calculations of traditional elections and nominations that may not give us the leadership personality we are looking for; candidacy is an easy step, but working on the ground is very difficult and faces different realities. We need a strong, understanding man, capable of surpassing the current administrative thinking that has not served the Saudi national team for years. We are waiting for a championship, anticipating an achievement that meets our ambitions and brings back those days when the 'Green' was at the peak of its vigor.

- We need the 'Green' to return as formidable as it was and champion of Asia, and we need the talents and stars we have missed since the class of '94. We need achievements that restore the team to its natural position at the top of the yellow continent. All of this will not be achieved except with a capable president at the helm of the Saudi Football Federation, possessing thought and vision that qualify him to achieve the ambitions of the next stage.. which is undoubtedly a much tougher stage than before.