Saudi Arabian Football Federation
Prince Abdullah bin Faisal established the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in 1955. This new organization took its first steps onto the global stage by joining FIFA in 1956. The federation also became a member of the Asian Football Confederation in 1974. These early memberships allowed Prince Abdullah to begin organizing local championships while contributing to external football efforts. His leadership laid the groundwork for future achievements across the region.
The federation currently supervises 153 clubs participating in various football competitions. A hierarchy exists from the Premier League down to the Third Division and Fourth Division leagues. Youth development is structured through Elite Leagues for U-21, U-19, U-17, U-15, and U-13 age groups. Cup competitions include the King's Cup and the Saudi Super Cup alongside defunct tournaments like the Crown Prince's Cup. Specialized divisions exist for beach soccer and futsal with their own premier and first division leagues.
The senior men's team qualified for four consecutive World Cups starting with their debut in 1994. They reached the round of 16 after losing 3, 1 to Sweden during that tournament. Their best result remains this 1994 performance until they qualified again for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Domestically the national team won the Asian Cup three times in 1984, 1988, and 1996. The U-16 team achieved a historic victory by defeating host nation Scotland in the 1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship held in Scotland. This win made them the first Asian team to ever win a FIFA tournament as of August 2021.
Khalid Al-Faisal served as president from 1956 until 1971. Faisal bin Fahd took over leadership from 1971 through 1999. Sultan bin Fahd led the federation between 1999 and 2011. Nawaf bin Faisal held the position from 2011 to 2014. Ahmad Eid Al-Harbi served briefly from 2014 to 2016. Adel Ezzat was president from 2016 to 2018. Kosay Abdulaziz Al-Fawaz led the organization during 2018 and 2019. Yasser Al-Misehal has been president since 2019 with Lamia Bin Bahian serving as Vice President and Ibrahim Al-Kassim as General Secretary.
The federation now oversees a Saudi Women's Premier League alongside First and Second Division leagues. A Women's Community Football League once existed before becoming defunct. Current staff includes Monika Staab as Women's Technical Director and Lluís Cortés as Team Coach for women. The national team fields Senior, U-20, and U-17 squads under this new structure. The SAFF Women's Cup and Saudi Women's Super Cup provide competitive pathways for female players across the country.
During 2018 World Cup qualification fixtures between Saudi Arabia and Palestine were switched due to travel restrictions. The return match originally scheduled for the 13th of October 2015 at Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium faced delays over border access issues. Security concerns forced a move to Amman International Stadium in Jordan by November 2015. In 2016 the federation refused to travel to Iran during the AFC Champions League. On the 8th of June 2017 the national team failed to observe a moment of silence honoring London Bridge attack victims. Three nations including Saudi Arabia withdrew from the 23rd Arabian Gulf Cup in November 2017 before eventually participating after Kuwait hosted the event.
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Common questions
Who established the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and when?
Prince Abdullah bin Faisal established the Saudi Arabian Football Federation in 1955. This organization joined FIFA in 1956 and became a member of the Asian Football Confederation in 1974.
How many clubs does the Saudi Arabian Football Federation currently supervise?
The federation currently supervises 153 clubs participating in various football competitions. A hierarchy exists from the Premier League down to the Third Division and Fourth Division leagues.
When did the Saudi Arabian national team qualify for their first World Cup?
The senior men's team qualified for four consecutive World Cups starting with their debut in 1994. They reached the round of 16 after losing 3, 1 to Sweden during that tournament.
Who has been president of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation since 2019?
Yasser Al-Misehal has been president since 2019 with Lamia Bin Bahian serving as Vice President and Ibrahim Al-Kassim as General Secretary. Previous presidents include Kosay Abdulaziz Al-Fawaz who led the organization during 2018 and 2019.
What historic victory did the U-16 team achieve under the Saudi Arabian Football Federation?
The U-16 team achieved a historic victory by defeating host nation Scotland in the 1989 FIFA U-16 World Championship held in Scotland. This win made them the first Asian team to ever win a FIFA tournament as of August 2021.