Riyadh: From playing football with boys in schoolyards to pursuing her dream of leading Saudi Arabia to its first FIFA Women’s World Cup, Al-Ittihad's Seba Tawfiq has emerged as one of the faces of a generation transforming women’s football in the Kingdom.
A professional footballer whose journey has mirrored the rapid evolution of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq combines resilience on the pitch with a growing influence beyond it. Whether overcoming injury setbacks, embracing new opportunities or inspiring the next generation, she remains focused on leaving a lasting legacy.
For Tawfiq, football began with simple curiosity.
“I had a natural attraction to football from a young age. I remember seeing a group of boys playing at school and being curious to join them. I was the only girl, and it turned out I was actually better than many of them. From there, I started playing with Al-Ittihad, and everything grew naturally. That journey has brought me to where I am today, and hopefully there is still much more to come.”
The memories of those early years continue to shape her approach today. Growing up between Saudi Arabia and Canada gave her an adaptability that has proved invaluable throughout her career, while competing alongside boys strengthened her competitive instincts.
Toughening up
“Playing with boys in Saudi made me tougher and more competitive.
“Moving between Canada and Saudi Arabia at a young age helped me adapt quickly to new environments and challenges.
“Living in two different countries and playing football with different groups and age ranges helped me develop strong social skills.
“Those experiences made me more resilient, competitive and confident as a player.”
Looking back, Tawfiq says one of the most rewarding aspects of her journey has been seeing how far she has come.
“I was recently catching up with an old friend, and she was surprised to see that I had become a professional footballer. It’s always nice to receive that support from people who knew you from the beginning.”
Throughout every stage of her development, one constant has remained.
“My family has always been a huge source of support. Even when the pathway for women’s football in Saudi Arabia wasn’t clear, they always encouraged me to continue because they knew how much passion I had for the game.”
Obstacles faced by women
Like many elite athletes, Tawfiq’s career has also tested her resilience. She is now working her way back from surgery, viewing the challenge as another opportunity for growth.
“I’m currently recovering from surgery that I had last month. Recovery is challenging, especially mentally, but it teaches you resilience and determination. You stay focused on the goal of coming back stronger and better than before.”
She also reflects on the wider obstacles faced by women athletes during the early years of the sport’s development in Saudi Arabia.
“Of course, it was difficult at first to break through some of the barriers that existed for women in sport. But those challenges give us even more motivation to represent ourselves and our country in the best possible way.”
Among the highlights of her career so far is receiving individual recognition for her performances.
“One of my proudest achievements was winning the Best Player Award in 2022. Moments like that show you that hard work pays off and that people are noticing the progress you’ve made.”
Another milestone came with her transition from indoor football to the outdoor game.
“Another important part of my journey was transitioning from indoor football to outdoor football. It changed my perspective on the game. Playing as part of a larger team helped me develop different aspects of my game, while indoor football gave me many of the technical skills and foundations that I still use today.”
Having witnessed the transformation of women’s football in Saudi Arabia firsthand, Tawfiq believes the pace of progress has been remarkable.
Growth of the women’s game
“The growth of women’s football in Saudi Arabia has happened incredibly quickly and continues to grow every year. We now have top-level international players and coaches working within the league, which exposes us to new ideas and different ways of playing the game.
“It has raised the level of competition significantly, and it’s exciting to be part of that journey. We’re also gaining international exposure, which allows us to showcase the development of women’s football in Saudi Arabia to the world.”
The opportunities now available to young girls are something she wishes had existed during her own childhood.
“Today, it’s amazing to see the opportunities available for girls in football at every age group. There are clear pathways for development from a young age, which is something my generation didn’t have growing up.
“I would have loved to have these opportunities when I was younger, as they help players develop earlier and reach their potential faster.”
She also believes perceptions of female footballers have evolved considerably.
Having the right mindset
“When I first started playing professionally, there was a lot of pressure because it was new. Over time, I learned that pressure can be a positive thing. Through hard work and experience, I’ve come to see it as motivation to keep improving, become the best version of myself, and inspire younger generations.”
That mindset continues to define her approach to the game.
“I always remember where I started and the journey that brought me to where I am today. Now, I’m in a position where things are bigger than just me personally. I also feel an influential responsibility to show younger girls how far their dreams can take them.”
Away from football, Tawfiq enjoys traveling, discovering new cuisines, spending time with her cat and expressing herself through fashion. Sushi is among her favorite foods, while yellow remains her favorite color.
Her sense of style has also attracted recognition, earning her the title of Style Icon of the Year.
“It’s a nice award to receive, honestly. I just enjoy expressing myself through fashion, and it’s nice to see that people notice that. I have a genuine interest in fashion and I’m very particular about what I choose to wear because it reflects my personality.”
Balancing life as both an athlete and a public figure, she believes authenticity is the key.
Her biggest ambition still lies ahead
“The key is staying authentic and remembering who I am, regardless of whether I’m on the field or in front of a camera.”
Despite her achievements, Tawfiq says her biggest ambition still lies ahead.
“My biggest dream is to represent Saudi Arabia on the biggest stage possible. I want to help lead Saudi Arabia to its first World Cup and be part of that historic achievement.”
Equally important is the legacy she hopes to leave behind.
“My goal is to inspire the next generation to continue dreaming bigger, working hard and pursuing football with confidence, so if I’m able to do that its something I’d be proud of.
“When my career is over I want to be remembered for the achievements I did, of course, and also the impact I had. I also want to be remembered as someone who worked hard, someone who was dedicated and someone who helped grow women’s football in Saudi Arabia.”
For the young Saudi girls following her journey, Tawfiq’s message is simple.
“Dream big and work hard. Never stop pushing towards the goals you want to achieve. The opportunities are there — you just have to be ready to take them.”
