الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم يحقق إنجازات ملحوظة في تطوير اللعبة مع بزوغ مواهب جديدة في منتخبات الفئات السنية
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has made significant strides in achieving one of its key objectives outlined in its strategy to develop Saudi football. This initiative is aimed at enhancing local competitions for youth categories—including boys’ teams at the youth and junior levels. In preparation for the upcoming 2024-2025 tournament season, the federation implemented several strategic decisions, including increasing the number of matches across various local leagues: the Premier League, First Division, and Second Division. This upward shift in match frequency has allowed a greater number of players to participate in more games, resulting in heightened opportunities for skill development and experience. Ultimately, this effort is geared towards nurturing a new generation capable of representing national teams on regional, continental, and global stages.
These endeavors by the football federation have borne fruit, exemplified by the achievements of youth national teams. Notably, the Under-20 national team qualified for the 2025 FIFA World Cup, following its noteworthy run to the finals of the Asian Youth Championship. Similarly, the Under-17 national team is set to make its first appearance at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar 2025, a significant feat not achieved since 1989. The simultaneous qualification of both teams for their respective World Cups is a historic milestone in Saudi football history, marking a substantial achievement that underscores the federation’s commitment to developing the sport.
The 2024-2025 season has showcased remarkable growth in youth competitions, supported by various metrics that illustrate this development. Most youth leagues featured 18 teams, resulting in an average of 306 matches played per competition. The goals scored across these tournaments ranged between 878 and 1,023, reflecting an active scoring environment. This increase in matches has opened doors for many players; for instance, the Under-18 Premier League saw participation from 724 players, while the Under-17 league had 785 players engaged. In the Under-16 and Under-15 Premier Leagues, the numbers were similarly impressive, with 631 and 632 players, respectively.
The large volume of matches has produced positive outcomes in the discovery of talent, particularly in the realm of goal-scoring prowess. Players have not only showcased their innate abilities but have also gained invaluable experience through frequent competitive play. An exemplary case is that of Abdulrahman Sufyani, a member of the Under-17 national team, who set a record by scoring 45 goals for his team, Academy Mahd, in the Under-17 Premier League. Likewise, Adnan Al-Bushri from Al-Ahli emerged as the top scorer in the Under-18 league with 26 goals, while his teammate, Youssef Al-Salem from Al-Taawoun, claimed the highest goal tally in the Under-16 Premier League with 28 goals. Additionally, Faris Bouchakra of Al-Fateh achieved the top scorer title in the Under-15 league with 37 goals.
These statistics present a promising outlook for the future of Saudi football talent, especially given the upcoming continental and international challenges that the national teams will face. Such preparations will foster a new generation of players poised to elevate Saudi football to new heights. Overall, the collective efforts of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation are beginning to yield the desired results, evidenced by the historic achievements of the youth national teams and the wealth of emerging talent that could redefine the landscape of Saudi football in the years to come.
