Sports
Saudi FA President Resigns After World Cup Group Stage Exit
The president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, Yasser Al-Misehal, has resigned following the Green Falcons’ disappointing exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the group stage.
Saudi Arabia finished at the bottom of Group H with just two points after recording 1-1 and 0-0 draws against Uruguay and Cape Verde respectively, before suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Spain, ending their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
Announcing his decision in a statement posted on X on Sunday, Al-Misehal accepted full responsibility for the team’s poor performance and apologised to Saudi football supporters.
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“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 said.
He added that stepping aside was necessary to allow the federation begin a fresh chapter.
“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.”
Al-Misehal served as president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation for seven years and was instrumental in securing Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a key part of the kingdom’s broader economic diversification agenda.
The resignation comes after a difficult period for Saudi football. Earlier this year, a string of poor performances in international friendly matches led to the dismissal of French coach Hervé Renard during his second spell in charge of the national team after replacing Italian manager Roberto Mancini.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s massive investment of nearly $2 billion in football over the past three years—including attracting global stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema to the Saudi Pro League—the national team failed to make an impact at the tournament.
The 2026 tournament marked Saudi Arabia’s third consecutive FIFA World Cup appearance, but their campaign ended with an early elimination.
Spain’s celebrations after winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup were overshadowed by tragedy after a 13-year-old boy died and several others were injured when a fountain collapsed during jubilant scenes in the western Spanish town of Ciudad Rodrigo.
The heartbreaking incident occurred shortly after Spain secured a historic 1-0 victory over Argentina in the World Cup final, ending a 16-year wait for the country’s second global football title.
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According to local authorities, emergency services received multiple distress calls at around 12:30 a.m. local time after a fountain packed with celebrating fans suddenly collapsed.
In a statement posted on Facebook, Ciudad Rodrigo City Hall confirmed the teenager’s death and expressed condolences to the victim’s family.
“The city hall of Ciudad Rodrigo expresses its sadness and presents its condolences for the death of a boy of 13.”
The municipality described the incident as a devastating turn of events, saying: “What should have been a celebration of Spain’s team in the football World Cup turned into tragedy.”
Emergency services also confirmed that another youth was injured in the collapse, while several others sustained injuries as rescue teams rushed to the scene.
Local media reported that the fountain gave way under the weight of dozens of fans who had climbed onto the structure to celebrate Spain’s World Cup triumph.
The fatal accident cast a somber mood over celebrations across the football-loving nation, with many expressing grief just hours after Spain’s memorable victory on the world stage.
Spain have been crowned 2026 FIFA World Cup champions after defeating defending champions Argentina in a thrilling final to reclaim football’s biggest prize.
La Roja delivered a composed and determined performance on the grandest stage, overcoming the South American giants to secure their second FIFA World Cup title and their first since their historic triumph in 2010.
The highly anticipated showdown lived up to expectations as both teams battled fiercely for global supremacy.
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However, Spain’s tactical discipline, attacking quality, and defensive resilience proved decisive as they ended Argentina’s reign as world champions.
Spain’s road to glory included impressive victories over some of the tournament’s strongest sides, underlining their dominance throughout the competition.
The triumph also marks the culmination of a remarkable resurgence led by a talented new generation of stars, who have restored Spain to the pinnacle of world football.
For Argentina, the defeat ends their hopes of retaining the World Cup crown, despite another spirited campaign that saw them reach a second consecutive final.
Spain’s victory cements their place among football’s elite once again, bringing the 2026 FIFA World Cup to a memorable conclusion.
England ended their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign on a high after defeating France 6-4 in a pulsating third-place playoff at Miami Stadium on Saturday to secure the bronze medal.
Thomas Tuchel’s men produced an electric attacking display, storming into a commanding four-goal lead before France launched a spirited comeback.
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Declan Rice opened the scoring early, while Ezri Konsa doubled England’s advantage. Bukayo Saka then stole the show with a first-half brace as the Three Lions headed into the break with complete control of the contest.
France responded strongly after halftime, with captain Kylian Mbappé leading the charge by scoring twice.
Bradley Barcola also found the net to reduce the deficit and briefly raise hopes of an unlikely comeback for Les Bleus.
However, England had the final say as Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot deep into stoppage time to seal a thrilling 5-3 victory and confirm England’s third-place finish at the tournament.
The victory marked a fitting response to England’s heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina and secured the nation’s best World Cup finish since 1966.
France, meanwhile, ended the tournament in fourth place after suffering back-to-back defeats in the knockout stage.
Attention now shifts to Sunday’s World Cup final, where Spain will battle defending champions Argentina for football’s biggest prize.
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