SAFF’s Nine-Project Roadmap Draws Future of Age-Group Football Teams

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) has unveiled a comprehensive nine-project roadmap designed to develop age-group teams and prepare a generation of players capable of competing in the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which Saudi Arabia is bidding to host. The announcement, reported by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), coincides with the Kingdom’s submission of its official bid file to host the tournament. The roadmap encompasses diverse initiatives focused on team and technical management, aiming to elevate the technical, physical, tactical, and mental capabilities of young Saudi footballers over the next decade.

Context and Background

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sports as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to diversify the economy, enhance quality of life, and position the Kingdom as a global sporting hub. The SAFF’s roadmap is a key component of this vision, aligning with the broader Saudi Football Transformation Strategy 2021. The strategy aims to restructure competitions, expand participation, and create a robust talent pipeline from grassroots to elite levels.

The roadmap also supports the Kingdom’s bid for the 2034 World Cup, which, if successful, would be the first time the tournament is hosted in Saudi Arabia. To be competitive on the global stage, the SAFF recognizes the need to systematically develop young players from an early age.

Key Details of the Nine-Project Roadmap

The SAFF’s roadmap includes several concrete projects and initiatives:

• Additional team in the Saudi Premier League under 17: The Saudi national team (born in 2008) will participate as an additional team in the under-17 league starting from the 2024-2025 season. This initiative, supervised by the technical staff of the Green Juniors, prepares the team for the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup and other regional tournaments. Importantly, this additional team will not affect the points balance of existing teams.
• Scholarship program ‘The Future Falcons’: 27 under-16 players have been sent to Spain for a two-season traineeship. The program aims to develop professional-level players capable of playing in clubs abroad.
• Regional Teams Championship under 13: The first edition concluded in Taif in July, involving 258 players from 14 regional teams. The championship focuses on discovering young talent and providing them with competitive experience.
• Expansion of regional training centres: The SAFF has increased the number of centres from 13 to 17, covering players born between 2011 and 2014.
• Regional leagues for beginners: Four regional leagues for players aged 11 to 14 will be launched next season to recruit and develop talent.
• Restructured competitions: The SAFF Competitions Committee has restructured age-group competitions to target players from 11 to 18 years old, with 64 competitions planned as part of the transformation strategy.
• Talent festivals: Conducted in various regions in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
• FIFA program for schools: A program to register talented players in training centres and qualify school teachers, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.
• Financial support initiative: A budget of SAR 75 million has been approved for public and private clubs and accredited academies for the third consecutive season to support age-group development.

Implications and Impact

This roadmap is expected to significantly enhance Saudi Arabia’s football ecosystem by creating a clear pathway for young talents. By investing in grassroots and age-group football, the SAFF aims to increase the pool of skilled players, improve national team performance, and ultimately achieve success on the international stage. The initiative also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader goals of promoting sports participation, healthy lifestyles, and national pride.

Furthermore, the roadmap demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s commitment to hosting a successful 2034 World Cup. By developing homegrown talent, the Kingdom aims to field a competitive national team that can inspire future generations and leave a lasting legacy.

Vision 2030 Alignment

The SAFF’s nine-project roadmap is a clear reflection of Vision 2030, which emphasizes youth empowerment, sports development, and international engagement. By investing in young footballers, Saudi Arabia is not only preparing for the 2034 World Cup but also building a sustainable sports industry that will contribute to economic diversification and social progress. This initiative underscores the Kingdom’s dedication to nurturing talent, promoting excellence, and showcasing Saudi Arabia’s potential on the global stage.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the main objective of SAFF’s nine-project roadmap?

A1. The roadmap aims to develop age-group teams and prepare a generation of players capable of competing in the 2034 World Cup, enhancing technical, physical, tactical, and mental aspects.

Q2. When did the SAFF announce the participation of the Saudi national team (born in 2008) in the under-17 league?

A2. The SAFF announced last week that the team would participate as an additional team starting from the 2024-2025 sports season.

Q3. How many under-16 players were sent to Spain for training?

A3. 27 talented under-16 players were sent to Spain for a two-season traineeship as part of ‘The Future Falcons’ program.

Q4. What was the purpose of the Regional Teams Championship under 13?

A4. The championship aimed to discover talented young players by selecting the most technically prominent players and providing them with opportunities to hone their skills.

Q5. How many regional teams participated in the first edition of the Regional Teams Championship under 13?

A5. Fourteen regional teams participated, represented by 258 players selected from public and private clubs, accredited academies, and regional training centres.

Q6. What is the budget approved for supporting age groups for the third consecutive season?

A6. The SAFF approved a budget estimated at SAR 75 million for public and private clubs and accredited academies.

Q7. How many regional training centres have been increased and for which age groups?

A7. The SAFF increased the number of regional training centres from 13 to 17, covering players born between 2011 and 2014.

Q8. What is the Saudi Football Transformation Strategy 2021?

A8. It is a strategy aimed at restructuring competitions, expanding participation, and creating a robust talent pipeline from grassroots to elite levels.

Q9. What is the FIFA program for schools?

A9. It is a program to register talented players in training centres and qualify school teachers, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education.

Q10. How many competitions are targeted as part of the restructuring of age-group competitions?

A10. The SAFF Competitions Committee has targeted 64 competitions for players from 11 to 18 years old.

Q11. What is the significance of the additional team not affecting the points balance?

A11. It ensures that the participation of the additional team does not disrupt the competitive balance of the existing under-17 league teams.

Q12. Where will the additional team’s training and some matches be held?

A12. The team training and some matches will be held at the Mahd Academy in Riyadh, considering players’ educational and family commitments.

Q13. What tournaments will the under-17 team participate in?

A13. The team will participate in the 2025 AFC U-17 Asian Cup, the FIFA Arab Cup, and the West Asian Football Federation Cup, among others.

Q14. What is ‘The Future Falcons’ program?

A14. It is a scholarship program to develop footballers by sending them abroad for training and participation in friendly international tournaments.

Q15. When will the first participation of the regional teams in Spain take place?

A15. The first participation will be at the end of August in Spain.

Q16. How many regional leagues for beginner players will be launched next season?

A16. Four regional leagues for beginner players from 11 to 14 years old will be launched.

Q17. What is the role of the Ministry of Education in SAFF’s initiatives?

A17. The Ministry of Education collaborates in talent festivals and the FIFA program for schools, helping to integrate football development with education.

Q18. What age groups will the Regional Teams Championship cover next season?

A18. The championship will cover four age groups, from 11 to 14 years old.

Q19. How does the roadmap align with Vision 2030?

A19. It aligns by emphasizing youth empowerment, sports development, and international engagement, contributing to economic diversification and social progress.

Q20. What is the expected impact of the roadmap on Saudi football?

A20. It is expected to enhance the football ecosystem, increase skilled players, improve national team performance, and support the Kingdom’s 2034 World Cup bid.

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