STATEMENT

2026-08-27
13:38:09

Following its meeting today, the Board of Directors of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation agreed the following position on the latest developments in global football.

SAFF welcomes the acknowledgement of mistakes, the apology, the decision not to proceed with the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposal and the commitment to review the process, as set out in the recent joint open letter from the FIFA President and Secretary General. These were important first steps.

The letter also committed FIFA to learning from the experience, improving its processes, communications and interactions, strengthening governance and addressing the challenges ahead in a united and transparent manner. Delivering on these commitments will be essential to restoring confidence. However, the continuing divisions within the game demonstrate the need for broader and more direct dialogue.
Football can only move forward through unity. SAFF therefore encourages direct, face-to-face dialogue among FIFA’s leadership, FIFA Council members, confederations and member associations, with all concerns addressed openly, constructively and transparently. The focus must remain on the good of the game, its players and its fans. As a member association of the Asian Football Confederation, SAFF will continue to work with the AFC, with full consideration and respect for the role of its President and stands ready to support constructive engagement wherever helpful.

The past three editions of the FIFA World Cup have demonstrated what football can achieve when its global family works together. The FIFA President’s contribution to growing the game worldwide over almost a decade should also be recognised. At this time, SAFF supports the continued efforts of FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA’s leadership to restore unity across the football family and continue growing the game for the benefit of all.