What’s next for Saudi football?

By Saoud Moussa Baccus 

Photo by Abdulaziz Alshammari from Pexels
(downloaded on 24 January 2023).

By now, most fair-minded people will have concluded that the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar was a relative success and not the failure many had hoped. In three years, when the prelude to the next World Cup starts, it is reasonable to believe that two teams will be mentioned: Saudi Arabia and Morocco. The first for beating Argentina, the eventual winner, and the second for reaching the last four, thus becoming the first African, Arab-Amazigh and Muslim country to make it that far.

On paper, Saudi Arabia and Morocco are miles apart. Look at the chart below (data is from FIFA): 

 

The progress made by Morocco from December 2018 to December 2022 is remarkable by any standards. They leapt 29 spots while Saudi Arabia managed to climb up 20. A truism to be factored in, going from 40 to 11 is much harder because you are now entering the territory of football’s giants.

But these two countries have something in common; they are both extremely ambitious in matters concerning football. They both want to be up there with the big boys, they both want to play superior football, they both want to go to tournaments to win. Morocco’s new football academy is churning out quality footballers and undoubtedly will become a template for other countries eager to flex their leg muscles on the world stage. 

"They want the world to pay attention. Saudi Arabia is no longer happy to win regional tournaments. It is aiming big."

Morocco’s success is spurring Saudi Arabia. Already, the Saudi kingdom has unofficially 'announced' its intention to be a joint-bidder for the 2030 or 2034 World Cup. It is spending millions on yesteryear’s superstars, not for their fading playing ability but for the light they are going to shine on Saudi’s Pro League. They want the world to pay attention. Saudi Arabia is no longer happy to win regional tournaments. It is aiming big.

 

The Saudis have made great strides lately but they need to up the tempo if they want to be a force to reckon with. Will the famous victory against Argentina be their defining moment? Hope doesn’t translate into great skills and talent on the field. Hard work, perseverance, determination, vision do and, of course, massive investment, that one being the least of their worries.