Saudi Arabia’s bid for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup follows a historic week in women’s football, highlighted by England’s Euro victory. Despite ongoing challenges in Arab women’s football, including limited World Cup participation, there is a positive trend as funding and programs increase support for the sport in the region. Saudi Arabia’s initiatives, including leagues and training programs, signal commitment to advancing women’s football.
DUBAI: The sports community in the Arab world is buzzing after Saudi Arabia announced its bid for the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, marking the culmination of an incredible week for women’s football. This week also saw England win their first UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 title, triumphing 2-1 against Germany in a thrilling final at Wembley, ending England’s trophy drought since the 1966 World Cup.
This exciting summer has seen various nations shine in women’s football, including Brazil, which clinched the Copa America Femenina title by defeating Colombia 1-0, and South Africa, which emerged victorious against Morocco to win the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. In January, China won the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, illustrating the progress made in women’s football globally.
Attention is now shifting toward the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, scheduled in Australia and New Zealand. However, Arab women’s footballers still face numerous challenges before they can compete at this level, with only Morocco qualifying for the World Cup through the Africa Cup of Nations. Cultural, political, and sports-related barriers hinder Arab women’s participation in elite football.
Despite these hurdles, there is cautious optimism as Arab football federations start to support women’s football more actively. Current rankings reveal discrepancies; Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt are among the leading Arab teams in Africa, compared to Jordan, Bahrain, and the UAE in Asia.
The historical participation in women’s football shows that Arab African teams have competed longer than their Asian counterparts, but the latter are gradually catching up. FIFA’s world rankings reflect this pattern, indicating that many Arab nations are still developing their women’s sports infrastructure.
Saudi Arabia is making significant efforts to foster women’s football. The establishment of the Women’s Football Department in 2019 and the launch of the Women’s Football League in 2020 have provided a strong foundation for growth. The SAFF introduced the Regional Football League in November 2021, leading to the first-ever National Football Championship held in January 2022, culminating in Al-Mamlaka’s victory.
Additionally, the SAFF has actively trained female referees and appointed experienced coach Monika Staab to lead the national team, signaling a commitment to enhancing women’s football at all levels. Staab’s leadership has been recognized globally, and she aims to elevate the Saudi national team both regionally and internationally.
As Saudi Arabia prepares for its bid to host the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, there is potential for notable advancements in women’s football. “Saudi Arabia has embraced women’s football. When I speak to girls across the Kingdom, I see their excitement for the game,” Staab emphasized, highlighting a shift toward a positive future for female footballers in the region.
The summer has been a pivotal moment for women’s football globally, particularly with Saudi Arabia’s bid to host key tournaments. While challenges persist for Arab women in football, increasing support from federations, coupled with strategic initiatives and dedicated leadership, suggests a brighter future. The developments in Saudi Arabia exemplify the changing landscape of women’s football in the Arab world, inspiring future generations to pursue their ambitions in the sport.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
