What Are the Contributions of Hosting the World Cup to the Development of Football in Saudi Arabia?

The football development in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims to increase the number of players, coaches, and fans, which the Kingdom's bid to host the 2034 World Cup will help achieve. This will be accomplished through a long-term strategy to develop Saudi football implemented by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation across four main areas:

It consists of:

- Qualifying for the World Cup finals six times.

- Winning the Asian Cup three times.

- More than 155 countries broadcast matches of the Roshn Saudi Pro League.

- The average attendance of Saudi league matches reaches twenty thousand fans per match.

- More than USD300 million in annual investments allocated for developing football clubs.

- The Kingdom has hosted more than fifty international football teams.

- Hosting the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi 2023.

- The host country of the 2027 Asian Cup.

- Tremendous progress in enhancing women's and girls' interest in practicing football.

- Three leagues for developing semi-professional football.

- More than one thousand registered female players.

- Seventy thousand girls in the Schools Football League.

- Establishment of the Saudi women's national team in 2021, entry of the Saudi women's national team into the FIFA ranking in 2023, and obtaining its first title.

- Seventeen women's football academies have been established since 2021.

- More than one hundred schools participating in the talent discovery program.

- More than 170 coaches participating in the talent discovery program.

- More than two hundred thousand players in the Schools League.

- More than twenty-five regional training centers are scheduled to be established.

- More than 4,300 football coaches in 2023, representing a significant increase from seven hundred coaches in 2019.

- Enhancing interest in the game through awareness programs, competitions, and education.