(177) Matches Kick Off the Youth and Grassroots Season

2026-10-19
21:41:12

On Saturday, the youth and grassroots competitions commenced with the first round of the U-13 and U-14 leagues. This initiative is part of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s (SAFF) broader strategy to develop age-group football completing a competitive structure that extends up to the U-21 level, with the goal of broadening the participation base, increasing playing opportunities, and identifying and nurturing talent at an early age.
The first round saw extensive participation across both age groups, featuring a total of 177 matches: 112 for the U-14 category and 65 for the U-13 category.
A total of 5,095 players were registered—2,797 in the U-14 league and 2,298 in the U-13 league.
The competitions spanned a wide geographical area, with the U-14 category taking place across 51 stadiums in 29 cities, while the U-13 category was held across 50 stadiums in 28 cities reflecting the broad reach of the competition across various regions of the Kingdom.
The launch of the U-13 and U-14 leagues marks the start of the new season for youth and grassroots competitions.
The initiative aims to strengthen the player development pathway from an early age, providing a competitive environment that offers young talents more opportunities to participate and play matches, ultimately contributing to building a stronger foundation for the future of Saudi football.
It is worth noting that the youth and grassroots competitions for the current season encompass seven age categories: under-5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14.
The inclusion of the under-5, 7, and 9 age groups marks a first, reflecting the Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s strategic approach to establishing a progressive competitive pathway that begins at an early age, continues through age-group competitions, and extends to advanced development stages and national teams.