NEOM, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, January 20, 2025 – NEOM, in partnership with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), has officially launched a pivotal new report titled “Pioneering Change: Women’s Football in Saudi Arabia” on Sunday, January 20, 2025. This landmark report offers an in-depth look into the rapid development of women’s football in the Kingdom, highlighting the achievements and milestones reached so far while exploring the exciting opportunities on the horizon for the sport in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and beyond. The report stands as a testament to NEOM’s commitment to supporting the growth of women’s football and empowering women through sport across the region.
As the Presenting Partner of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League, NEOM has placed significant emphasis on its role in advancing women’s football, aligning its efforts with broader initiatives aimed at fostering gender equality, community health, and regional prosperity. “Pioneering Change: Women’s Football in Saudi Arabia” reflects the Kingdom's extraordinary progress in the sport and provides a roadmap for future developments that will shape the future of women’s football within the Kingdom and across Asia.
Women’s football in Saudi Arabia has become a powerful force for change, not only within the realm of sport but also in terms of cultural and societal transformation. The report showcases how the sport has acted as a catalyst for increasing female participation in sports at all levels, significantly reshaping public perceptions and breaking down long-standing barriers. Through initiatives that promote healthier lifestyles, gender equality, and social inclusion, women’s football in Saudi Arabia is helping to drive forward the goals of Saudi Vision 2030. As the Kingdom prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in 2034, the sport’s momentum is expected to continue to build, encouraging even greater engagement and participation among Saudi women.
Jan Paterson, Managing Director of NEOM Sport, underscored the importance of this groundbreaking report, emphasizing that its purpose goes beyond documenting progress—it is about understanding the challenges ahead and exploring how sports can be a powerful vehicle for positive social change. “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,” said Paterson. “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.”
Contributors from key organizations such as the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the Saudi Ministry of Sport (MoS), the Saudi Sports for All Federation (SFA), the AFC, and others provided valuable input into the report. The insights shared highlight the significant strides made between 2022 and 2023, including the launch of the Saudi Women’s Premier League, the establishment of the Women’s National team, the appointment of female leaders within the sport, and the achievement of an official FIFA world ranking. The report also discusses the development of grassroots football, the importance of leadership and coaching, infrastructure investments, and the commercialization of women’s football, which are all playing a pivotal role in furthering the growth of the sport.
Aalia Abdulaziz AlRasheed, Head of Women’s Football at the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), reflected on the extraordinary journey of Saudi women’s football over the past six years. “It has been a truly remarkable journey since the establishment of a dedicated women’s football department at the SAFF, driven by Saudi Vision 2030,” said AlRasheed. “We are hugely proud of the transformation across all areas of the game, from the creation of four national teams and five competitions to the participation of 77,000 girls in our annual Schools League and the development of regional training centers. Our mission is simple: to inspire and offer new opportunities for girls throughout the country to realize their dreams and showcase their talent for the beautiful game. We are not doing this alone. We are already in 62 active partnerships with federations to co-develop the women’s game and realize its full potential.”
AlRasheed also highlighted the growing international involvement in the Kingdom’s women’s football leagues, noting that today, 60 international players from 20 nationalities play in the leagues, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing influence in the global football community. With a strong foundation already in place, Saudi women’s football is poised for even greater success in the years to come, and the report demonstrates just how far the sport has come and how much further it can go in the future.
