Al-Rezayza Elected New SAFF President for 2026-2030

Badr bin Sulaiman Al-Rezayza has been elected president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) for the 2026–2030 term. The decision was taken by the federation's general assembly during an extraordinary meeting held on 30 August 2026.

Al-Rezayza's list was the only one approved by the SAFF elections committee after five other presidential lists were excluded from the race. The excluded contenders raised objections and announced plans to appeal, arguing that eligibility criteria had not been applied equally across candidates.

The election followed a timetable set by the federation's election committee for the 2026–2030 cycle, which included nominations, a review of candidate files, publication of preliminary lists, an objection and appeal window, and finally the general assembly vote. The process was governed by SAFF statutes, including amendments made on 18 May 2026 that define eligibility and integrity requirements for candidates.

Under those rules, presidential candidates must hold Saudi nationality and reside in the Kingdom, be aged between 28 and 70, hold at least a university degree with proficiency in English, and have no fewer than two years of leadership experience in domestic or international football within the previous five years. Candidates must also have a clean disciplinary record.

Why it matters

The vote was triggered by the resignation of former president Yasser Al-Misehal, who stepped down after Saudi Arabia's group-stage exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ending roughly seven years in office. That exit intensified public criticism of the federation, with attention focused on national-team results, player development, coaching changes, technical decisions, and long-term planning.

Observers inside Saudi football say the new chair faces immediate pressure and scrutiny, describing a leadership environment carrying friction from the outset. The scrutiny is tied to wider calls for reform and improved governance after repeated national-team setbacks — issues that matter to the many football fans across the Kingdom.

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