Pioneering change: New NEOM report spotlights the remarkable story of women’s football in the Kingdom

A new report from the NEOM Sport sector showcases women’s football in Saudi Arabia, covering achievements and milestones to date and the promising future of the sport.

NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, January 19, 2025 – NEOM, in partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has today announced the publication of ‘Pioneering Change: Women’s Football in Saudi Arabia’, a report that shines a light on the current women’s football landscape in the Kingdom, the steps taken to grow the sport so far and a look ahead to future opportunities.

As Presenting Partner of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League, NEOM is committed to supporting the growth and progress of women’s football across the region and beyond. The report reveals the inspirational journey of the sport’s exponential growth and the continued potential it presents in shaping the future of sport within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Middle East and Asia.

Women’s football in Saudi Arabia has become a catalyst for the increased participation of women in sport more broadly, helping to redefine sports culture and societal norms for the future, promoting gender equality, healthier lifestyles and aligning with the Kingdom’s national ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030. Furthermore, with the Kingdom set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, interest and participation in football among Saudi women can only continue to grow.

Jan Paterson, Managing Director of NEOM Sport, said: “This report, created in collaboration with our contributors, is our way of truly understanding the landscape – where we are, what obstacles lie ahead and how the future could look. But it’s about more than just football. It’s about providing more opportunities for women and demonstrating the far-reaching impact that sport can have on individuals and communities. Alongside the AFC, we aim to play our part in unlocking the full potential of women’s sport, by telling the story of how key stakeholders are redefining football and empowering women across the Kingdom.”

With contributions from multiple stakeholders from the women’s game – including the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the Saudi Ministry of Sport (MoS), the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), the AFC and more – this report looks into the strides taken that led to the significant increase in participation in women’s football between 2022 and 2023. Historic milestones over the past six years include the launch of the Saudi Women’s Premier League and Women’s National team, the appointment of female leaders and obtaining an official FIFA world ranking. Wider key contributing components explored in the report include developmental pathways at grassroots level, the importance of leadership and coaching, investment in infrastructure and accessibility, and commercialization of the sport. These insights are a few of many highlighting the depth of opportunity in how women’s football drives tangible strategic efforts that are propelling the sport and communities forward.

Aalia Abdulaziz AlRasheed, Head of Women’s Football, Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), said: “It has been a truly remarkable journey for Saudi women’s football over the last six years since the establishment of a dedicated women’s football department at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. Driven by Saudi Vision 2030, we are hugely proud of the transformation across all areas of the game. Including the establishment of four national teams, five competitions, 77,000 girls playing in our annual Schools League, six girls’ regional training centers and numerous coaching/refereeing development programs. It is truly something that needs to be seen to be believed.

Our mission is simple: we want to inspire and offer new opportunities for girls throughout the country to realize their dreams and showcase their talent and love for the beautiful game. Our journey has inspired millions along the way, not just in Saudi Arabia but across different parts of the world. We are not doing this alone. We are open to the world and are already in 62 active partnerships with federations to co-develop the women’s game and realize its full potential. Today, 60 international players from 20 nationalities play in our leagues and have joined us on this journey. We are living in hugely exciting times and there is so much more to come from Saudi women’s football in the years to come.”

The full report can be viewed HERE.