The SAFF has introduced new competitions for the U-5, U-7, and U-9 age groups as part of its plans to develop youth categories

2026-07-14
19:18:06

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced the introduction of new competitions for the under-5, under-7, and under-9 age groups for the first time. This initiative is part of its strategic plan to develop youth competitions and complete the existing competition system, which extends up to the under-21 level.
The launch of these competitions is part of the national talent development program, which aims to broaden the base of players and provide greater opportunities for clubs, academies, schools, and sports organizations to participate in official competitions. It also aims to provide a structured environment that contributes to player education, develops their fundamental skills, and fosters their passion for football from an early age.
The newly established age group competitions will be held in a centralized format (festivals) within cities, reducing travel distances, increasing the number of matches, and boosting participation rates. Meanwhile, the under-11, under-12, under-13, and under-14 competitions will continue under the revised structure, using a league system within cities and regions. The number of host cities and regions will be expanded to enhance competitive experience and support talent identification and development.
These new competitions aim to achieve ambitious technical objectives, encompassing 50 cities across the Kingdom. Each team will play more than 20 matches per season, with a target of over 1,300 participating teams and more than 13,000 matches. The goal is to involve over 24,000 players, thereby broadening the base of participants, providing more playing time, and developing players' skills at an early age.
Last season saw 3,248 matches played in youth competitions (formerly known as junior competitions), with over 12,000 players from 488 teams participating. This reflects the expanding base of participation and the continued development of competitions across the Kingdom.
The impact of these competitions extends beyond player development, contributing to the overall growth of the football system. They provide greater opportunities for the development of referees, match officials, and organizers. Last season saw over 6,500 referees and 3,065 match officials involved in managing and organizing age-group competitions, a direct reflection of the continuous growth witnessed in competitions at all levels.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation encourages everyone to register and complete the necessary licensing and membership requirements by August 13th to ensure all procedures are completed and preparations are in place for participation in the new season's competitions.
The development of youth and junior competitions is part of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's objectives to build a comprehensive player development pathway, starting from early age groups and extending to the national teams, thus contributing to the preparation of a new generation of talents capable of representing Saudi football in the future.

Participation Mechanism:
1- Obtain a sports license
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2- Obtain Federation membership
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3- Acknowledge your participation via the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's MySaff platform