JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia, hosts of the 2034 football World Cup, could make a bid for the 2035 Rugby World Cup despite barely playing the game.
Sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal was not ruling it out when he met reporters on the sidelines of Sunday’s floodlit Formula One grand prix in Jeddah.
“We’re interested in rugby, we’re interested in developing the sport locally, so we created a federation to see what we can do to develop the sport,” he said.
“I don’t think we’re on the level of hosting yet but ‘35 is in 10 years so maybe it grows in that direction and we see a big interest in that, then why not?”
The Times newspaper reported last month that Saudi Arabia could join with Qatar, who hosted the 2022 football World Cup, and the United Arab Emirates in a joint bid for 2035 or 2039.
It quoted Asia Rugby President Qais Al-Dhalai, an Emirati, as saying it could happen.
“A multi-host could be a successful story and a new model for rugby. UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. Why not? The stadiums are ready there. It will be the most successful event in the history of rugby,” he said.
The UAE are ranked 49th in the world, with Qatar 87th and Saudi Arabia not in the top 113.
Australia hosts the next men’s tournament in 2027 with the United States in 2031.
Al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia, which has also been awarded the 2029 Asian Winter Games, has 97 sports federations and could not host everything.
“But why do we have 97 federations? Because we want to promote sports, even the smallest sports that maybe a small number of people participate in in Saudi or there isn’t that big of an interest, so at least someone can play that sport in the kingdom.”
Al-Faisal said boxing was showing rapid growth, with more and more gyms opening as the country hosted world title fights, and golf was the same.
“We had a very small percentage of youth playing in golf but now after LIV Golf, and after the tournaments that we’ve hosted in the kingdom, we see a big number of participation,” he said.
Cricket was another sport with potential due to the large number of foreign workers from elsewhere in Asia.
“I think in the cricket league we have around 35,000 players already, 90 percent of them are not Saudi, but we want to accommodate that because they live here, we want to provide for them,” said the prince.
“So does it mean we’re going to host a big cricket tournament or match in the future? Maybe. But we’ll see how it goes toward that, and if it makes sense to host these events.”
Saudi Arabia not ruling out a bid for 2035 Rugby World Cup
https://arab.news/rf4ww
Saudi Arabia not ruling out a bid for 2035 Rugby World Cup
- The Times newspaper reported last month that Saudi Arabia could join with Qatar and the UAE in a joint bid for 2035 or 2039
How international academies are shaping Saudi football’s next generation
- Building a unified national footballing philosophy in Saudi Arabia is no simple task
Saudi Arabia’s football transformation has been impossible to ignore since the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at the end of 2022. An influx of global stars followed, and with it, unprecedented attention on the Saudi Pro League.
Yet beneath the spotlight, a more pressing question emerged amongst domestic fans: “What is the long-term strategy for developing local players?”
Building a unified national footballing philosophy in Saudi Arabia is no simple task. The sheer size of the Kingdom presents logistical challenges unlike those faced by smaller neighbouring nations, making grassroots development harder to centralize. In this landscape, the work of individual institutions can contribute significantly to the broader football ecosystem.
One such contributor is Juventus Academy Saudi Arabia, an official extension of one of world football’s most historic clubs, operating under the umbrella of Al-Shoaibi Group. Arab News spoke to head of public relations at Juventus Academy, Malak Al-Awami, based in Alkhobar, to understand how the academy fits into the Kingdom’s long-term football vision.
“Saudi Arabia is experiencing a transformational moment under Vision 2030, prioritizing youth development and active lifestyles,” Al-Awami explained. “The academy arrives at a perfect time to contribute to a world-class methodology while helping nurture the next generation of Saudi footballers.”
At Juventus Academy, success is deliberately defined beyond results and trophies.
“We’re not just training players,” Al-Awami said. “We’re shaping future leaders for the Kingdom.”
That philosophy has been reflected in how the academy balances Juventus’ global philosophy with local Saudi culture. While all coaches undergo Juventus’ training standards, cultural understanding remains a priority.
“All of our coaches are guided to respect Saudi values, culture and communication styles,” Al-Awami said. “Technical excellence matters, but the coach’s character is just as important as their certification.”
One of the academy’s defining features has been its inclusivity and cultural awareness. Players can join as young as four years old and continue until the age of 18, with programs open to both boys and girls.
That inclusivity has had a tangible impact. Juventus Academy played a role in the formation of Khobar FC, a women’s team that competed in the inaugural season of the SAFF Women’s Second Division League.
“We even used the same kit style as Juventus, getting approval from the club itself,” revealed Al-Awami.
Operating as an extension of the academy, the team finished just a few points behind established clubs like Al-Nahda and Al-Fateh in their regional group.
Al-Awami noted that the group is also exploring complementary initiatives aimed at elite player development beyond the academy itself. Among them is the planned Superior Striker Project, a specialized program designed to bring international attacking expertise to Saudi Arabia through short-term clinics for youth and professional players.
It is this broader contribution that highlights the growing importance of international academies in Saudi Arabia. Beyond providing structured training, they are helping build communities, instil values and strengthen the foundations of the domestic football pyramid.
When asked about what success would look like for Juventus Academy in 5-10 years, Al-Awami was clear. “It is definitely not about trophies or big contracts,” he said, before adding, “it is the legacy we leave behind. If, in 10 years we see confident young Saudi players competing at elite levels, local coaches growing through our programs, and families trusting football as a tool for personal development, then we will know that we have truly succeeded.”
Juventus Academy Saudi Arabia builds on Al-Shoaibi Group’s original ambition in 2018: to create meaningful football opportunities for families in the Kingdom. Today, that ambition has evolved into a structured pathway contributing to Saudi football future, blending global expertise with local identity to help shape the next generation.
