Saudi women in 2018 They attended football matches for the first time. This was an ‘openness’ measure adopted by the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This was part of the ‘Vision 2030’ plan for economic and social reforms in which sport plays a fundamental role.

Six years later, the Saudi state’s women’s team played his first game (20 February 2022, 2-0 win against Seychelles). The next step is to attract players who played in the last World Cup that crowned Spain. The goal is to have an impact and host international tournaments, as in the men’s road map. Women’s Asian Cup 2026what they desire.

‘Sport wash’ Saudi Arabia’s policy includes investing in all aspects of football. If they broke the rules of the game in this summer market by signing Fabinho, who joined Neymar, Benzema, Kanté or Ronaldo and company, they are trying to do the same in the women’s league.

These days they can be seen on the Spanish platform Football Affairs There are many vacancies to play in the Saudi Arabian First and Second League. Salary depends on the football player’s profile. Among the conditions to be in the top category: “She was called to the 2023 Women’s World Cup by her country”.

Ashleigh Plumptre, pioneer of Saudi Arabia

An important filter considering that they are 736 professionals traveling to Oceania and in July a proposal was also published on FutbolJobs offering $4,000 a month (3,778 euros at the current exchange rate) for third-tier players. In both cases, those selected will also have a paid home in the country. In the second league the conditions are much lower: $500 and $1,000 per month (between 472 and 944 euros per month). It should be noted that the Saudi Women’s Premier League was established in 2022 and currently consists of eight teams.

For now, the arrival of foreign securities has been a trickle. The most remarkable player seduced by the Saudi project Ashleigh Plumptre played for Nigeria in the last World Cup and that he replaced England’s Leicester with Benzema’s Al-Ittihad. A football player who also plays in the youth teams of the English national team, said, “My journey of discovering myself more deeply continues. This is more than football.”

To increase competitiveness, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has opted to hire foreign coaches. There are two Spaniards in the local competition: David Cabildo, in the Eastern Flames; And Ana Junyent, in Al-Riyadh. However, the strategic bet was made for the national team, which made its international debut against Seychelles on February 20, 2022. SAFF Recruited Monika Staab, a former German player who has established women’s teams in other Middle Eastern countries such as Bahrain or Qatar.

The disappointing case of Qatar: ten years without playing

The situation for the country that hosted the last World Cup was dramatic. Staab assembled a team in what became a cosmetic exercise in the World Cup bid. The Qatar women’s team has not played for more than a decade. Staab left his job in 2014 without winning an official match.

She justified her departure by saying that the Women’s Sports Committee, which was formed as a result of this election, called. “A male ram and someone who speaks Arabic”. First of all, the Saudi Arabian project has a stronger foundation. In addition to coach Staab, the federation also signed Finnish Rosa Lappi-Seppälä as coach.

Jorge Vilda’s name was considered after his sudden departure from the world champion, but Staab wants a woman to build his project. FIFA made this work visible through the documentary Destined to Play: The history of Saudi women’s football. Layan JouhariAl-Ittihad player and captain of the national team. “This is something huge, something that is completely beyond that.”says a football player who competes without a headscarf.

The mix of professionals who may or may not wear this garment is natural to the development of competition. “In just two years doubled the number of registered players, clubs, referees and staff. The number of coaches has increased by 800%,” emphasized Yasser Al Misehal, SAFF president, at the presentation of the audio-visual work showing the authentic green trend of young people eager to become the foundation of the national team.

More than 48,000 players in the school league

Number of national women’s clubs according to FIFA went from 16 to 25 in just two years. More than 48,000 players in 3,660 teams competed in the 2022/23 Women’s School League. Could help women’s football reach new heights“According to the international organization.

But Staab provides the dose of realism that marks goal setting. “For me it was like going back to the time when you wanted to play football but there was no team near you. They travel two hours to train and work, and spend another two hours on the road to return home. All of them are studying or working, and none of them receive a salary for playing. Of course, they spread enthusiasm and believe that their dreams will come true,” explains the national team coach in an interview with FIFA.

The future lies in professionalization, hence Work offers initiated by league clubs. With this action, Saudi Arabia wants to win over critics of the regime and the many criticisms leveled, for example, when the state applied to sponsor the World Cup. Following protests from players and some federations, FIFA was forced to refuse the Saudi Arabian tourism office to sponsor the competition.

Reach the World Cup and organize the Asian Cup

“While we recognize that some important and positive gender equality reforms have been initiated, it is undeniable by reasonable standards that: Women’s rights remain severely restricted“Hosts Australia and New Zealand concluded their remarks.

after hosting Club World Cup waves Italian and Spanish Super CupsIt won’t be long before Saudi Arabia hosts the women’s football tournament. And this news will be covered by female journalists in newsrooms, in stadiums, and even in responsible positions. He received his award Men’s Asian Cup 2027, The Saudi bid makes it the favorite to host the 2026 women’s edition.

Although his biggest dream is to participate in the next World Cup, his place is not yet clear. SAFF Women’s Football Department Director Aalia Al-Rasheed’s message at the end of the documentary is as follows: “Enjoy football, play with passion, for your shield and our country. “This is just the beginning.” A statement that shows the speed of a project that was not even a possibility five years ago.