Saudi Arabia launch U-5, U-7 and U-9 youth competitions to grow talent pool

Saudi Arabia widens youth pipeline with U-5, U-7 and U-9 competitions

Saudi Arabia’s national team football federation on Wednesday launched its first-ever competitions for the U-5, U-7 and U-9 age groups, aiming to expand the national talent base ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Last result: Cape Verde Islands 0-0 Saudi Arabia (2026-06-27). The move follows last season’s 3,248 games involving 12,000 players from 488 teams in the youth (U-8/U-10) ranks.

What are the new competitions?

The new age-group contests will cover 50 cities, involve more than 1,300 teams and 24,000 players, and stage over 13,000 games under a city-based festival format. Existing U-11/U-12/U-13/U-14 competitions will continue under a revamped city-and-region league system designed to boost technical exposure. The federation’s targets include 50 cities covered, 20+ games per team each season, 1,300+ teams and 24,000+ players.

Why now?

The new competitions are part of Saudi Arabia’s national talent-development pathway that aims to produce a new generation capable of representing the national team in the future. The federation says the move builds an integrated player pathway from the earliest ages through to the senior national side. It also provides an organized environment to teach core skills and nurture passion for the game from childhood.

How will the competitions run?

Games will be staged in city-based festivals to cut travel distances and raise participation rates. The Saudi Arabia Football Federation has urged clubs and academies to register and complete licensing and membership requirements before the August 13 deadline. The new contests will also help grow the wider football ecosystem by creating more roles for referees, observers and organizers.

What’s next?

Last season’s youth competitions delivered 3,248 games with 12,000+ players from 488 teams, underscoring the rapid expansion of youth football across the kingdom. The federation stresses that upgrading the youth and junior competitions is a key step toward building an integrated player pathway from the ground up.Last result: Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 with Cape Verde Islands on June 27 2026, part of a recent run of one win, three draws and one loss in the last five outings.