Saudi Arabia women's national football team
Nickname(s) | الصقور الخضر (The Green Falcons) الصقور العربية (The Arabian Falcons) | ||
---|---|---|---|
Association | Saudi Arabian Football Federation | ||
Confederation | AFC (Asia) | ||
Sub-confederation | WAFF (West Asia) | ||
Head coach | Lluís Cortés | ||
Captain | Bayan Sadagah | ||
Most caps | Lana Abdulrazak Sara Al-Hamad Bayan Sadagah (22) | ||
Top scorer | Al Bandari Mobarak (10) | ||
FIFA code | KSA | ||
| |||
FIFA ranking | |||
Current | 175 (15 March 2024)[1] | ||
Highest | 170 (June 2023) | ||
Lowest | 175 (December 2023 – March 2024) | ||
First international | |||
Saudi Arabia 2–0 Seychelles (Malé, Maldives, 20 February 2022) | |||
Biggest win | |||
Saudi Arabia 3–0 Syria (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 12 January 2024) | |||
Biggest defeat | |||
Andorra 3–0 Saudi Arabia (Peralada, Spain, 17 June 2023) |
The Saudi Arabia women's national football team (Arabic: المنتخب السعودي لكرة القدم للسيدات) is the official women's national football team of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The team is controlled by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), the governing body for football in Saudi Arabia.
Colloquially called "the Green Falcons", Saudi Arabia played their first match in 2022 against the Seychelles in a 2–0 win in a friendly tournament in the Maldives.
History
Background
Due to the influence of religious leaders in Saudi Arabia, active opposition of political leaders and sport administrators, and systematic discrimination against women's sport, a women's national team could not exist for a long time.[2] The creation of a FIFA-recognised women's national team was banned by law in 2008.[3] Systemic discrimination remained intact despite limited reforms, until the death of King Abdullah in 2015.[4]
With King Salman's ascension to the throne in 2015, talks about football reforms escalated. However, his son Mohammed bin Salman was the first to spearhead the reforms, including to women's football.[5] Saudi Arabia allowed women to attend football games since 2017, the first step for a future creation of a women's football team.[6]
In December 2019, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) organised the first unofficial women's competition in the Jeddah area.[7] An official nationwide tournament, the amateur Saudi Women's Football League, was launched in February 2020, concentrated in three big cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam.[8] Following the creation of the league, calls for a creation of a women's national team increased.[9]
Inception
On 11 August 2021, the SAFF appointed Monika Staab as head coach of the newly-established women's national team.[10] Saudi Arabia played their first games in February 2022, taking part in a friendly tournament in Malé, Maldives.[11] They debuted on 20 February, beating Seychelles in a 2–0 win.[12] Following the successful debut, Lamia Bin Bahian, a board member of the SAFF, revealed a long term plan to allow the team to participate in the first FIFA Women's World Cup in the next ten years, with the aim to become a dominant force in the Gulf, West Asia, and Asian level.[13]
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.[14][15]
- Legend
Win Draw Lose Fixture
2023
13 June 2023 Friendly | Saudi Arabia | 1–3 | Andorra | Peralada, Spain |
Ibrahim 25' |
| Stadium: Estadi Municipal De Peralada |
17 June 2023 Friendly | Saudi Arabia | 0–3 | Andorra | Peralada, Spain |
| Stadium: Estadi Municipal De Peralada |
18 September 2023 2023 SAFF Women's Friendly Tournament | Saudi Arabia | 0–0 | Malaysia | Taif, Saudi Arabia |
20:30 UTC+3 | Stadium: King Fahd Sports City |
24 September 2023 2023 SAFF Women's Friendly Tournament | Pakistan | 0–1 | Saudi Arabia | Taif, Saudi Arabia |
20:30 UTC+3 | Report | B. Al-Hwsawi 90+5' | Stadium: King Fahd Sports City |
27 September 2023 2023 SAFF Women's Friendly Tournament | Saudi Arabia | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | Bhutan | Taif, Saudi Arabia |
20:30 UTC+3 |
| Stadium: King Fahd Sports City Referee: Nodira Mirzoeva (Tajikistan) |
30 September 2023 2023 SAFF Women's Friendly Tournament | Saudi Arabia | 0–1 | Malaysia | Taif, Saudi Arabia |
17:30 UTC+3 |
| Stadium: King Fahd Sports City |
2024
8 January 2024 Friendly | Saudi Arabia | 2–0 | Syria | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
18:00 UTC+3 | Report | Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City |
12 January 2024 Friendly | Saudi Arabia | 3–0 | Syria | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
18:00 UTC+3 |
| Report |
| Referee: Doumouh Al Bakkar (Lebanon) |
19 February 2024 2024 WAFF Women's Championship | Saudi Arabia | 1–3 | Jordan | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
20:00 UTC+3 |
| Report | Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Referee: Mohamed Juma (Bahrain) |
21 February 2024 2024 WAFF Women's Championship | Lebanon | 3–2 | Saudi Arabia | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
20:00 UTC+3 | Report |
| Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium Referee: Ahmed Gatea (Iraq) |
23 February 2024 2024 WAFF Women's Championship | Saudi Arabia | 0–2 | Guam | Jeddah, Saudi Arabia |
20:00 UTC+3 | Report | Anaya 21', 42' | Stadium: King Abdullah Sports City Reserve Stadium Referee: Alesar Baddour (Syria) |
- Women’s National Team (2024), saff.com.sa
Coaching staff
Current coaching staff
- As of 11 February 2023
Role | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Lluís Cortés[16] |
Assistant coach | Dona Rajab Sandra Kalin Martin Pacholek |
Goalkeeping coach | Catherine Lingert |
Team administrator | Dalia Al-Obeikan Intisar Al-Qahtan |
Video analyst | Donna Newberry |
Team manager | Beren Sadaqa |
Manager history
- Monika Staab[17] (11 August 2021 – 13 February 2023)
- Rosa Lappi-Seppälä (13 February 2023 – 24 October 2023)[18]
- Lluís Cortés (11 December – present)[19]
Players
Current squad
The following 23 players were called up for the 2024 WAFF Women's Championship.[20]
Caps and goals correct as of 23 February 2024 after the match against Guam
No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1GK | Sara Khalid | (1996-08-02) 2 August 1996 (age 27) | 14 | 0 | Al Nassr |
21 | 1GK | Mona Abdulrahman | (1996-10-27) 27 October 1996 (age 27) | 8 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
22 | 1GK | Reem Al-Bloushi | (2001-01-21) 21 January 2001 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Al Nassr |
2 | 2DF | Bayan Sadagah | (1994-11-15) 15 November 1994 (age 29) | 22 | 1 | Al-Ittihad |
3 | 2DF | Leen Mohammed | (2003-03-22) 22 March 2003 (age 21) | 15 | 2 | Al-Shabab |
4 | 2DF | Talah Al-Ghamdi | (1999-11-18) 18 November 1999 (age 24) | 16 | 0 | Al-Ittihad |
12 | 2DF | Shuruq Al-Hwsawi | (1994-11-25) 25 November 1994 (age 29) | 8 | 0 | Al Hilal |
13 | 2DF | Hala Khashoggi | (1999-10-11) 11 October 1999 (age 24) | 3 | 0 | Al-Ittihad |
19 | 2DF | Nouf Saud | (2000-11-07) 7 November 2000 (age 23) | 4 | 0 | Al Hilal |
23 | 2DF | Raghad Mukhayzin | (1996-10-24) 24 October 1996 (age 27) | 21 | 0 | Al-Ahli |
5 | 3MF | Lana Abdulrazak | (2005-05-22) 22 May 2005 (age 19) | 22 | 2 | Al-Ittihad |
6 | 3MF | Athaa Fahad | (1996-03-13) 13 March 1996 (age 28) | 10 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
8 | 3MF | Sara Hamad | (1992-06-27) 27 June 1992 (age 31) | 22 | 0 | Al Nassr |
10 | 3MF | Seba Tawfiq | (2005-01-13) 13 January 2005 (age 19) | 12 | 2 | Al-Ittihad |
15 | 3MF | Moudi Abdulmohsen | (2001-09-20) 20 September 2001 (age 22) | 5 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
18 | 3MF | Noura Ibrahim | (1998-09-17) 17 September 1998 (age 25) | 17 | 3 | Al-Shabab |
7 | 4FW | Mubarkh Mohammed | (1998-12-19) 19 December 1998 (age 25) | 13 | 0 | Al Nassr |
9 | 4FW | Albandari Mubarak | (2001-12-09) 9 December 2001 (age 22) | 17 | 10 | Al-Shabab |
11 | 4FW | Fatimah Mansour | (2007-12-10) 10 December 2007 (age 16) | 15 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
14 | 4FW | Joury Tarek | (2003-03-13) 13 March 2003 (age 21) | 17 | 0 | Al-Ittihad |
16 | 4FW | Moluk Al-Hawsawi | (2005-01-10) 10 January 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Al-Ahli |
17 | 4FW | Haya Al-Sunaidi | (2001-08-30) 30 August 2001 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Al Qadsiah |
20 | 4FW | Abeer Nasser | (1998-09-14) 14 September 1998 (age 25) | 2 | 0 | Al-Shabab |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up to the squad in the past 12 months.
Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GK | Salma Al-Dowsri | (2002-11-07) 7 November 2002 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Al Qadsiah | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
GK | Hessa Al-Sudairy | (1985-03-22) 22 March 1985 (age 39) | 0 | 0 | Al-Ittihad | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
GK | Nawal Al-Gelaish | (1997-01-24) 24 January 1997 (age 27) | 0 | 0 | Al Hilal | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
GK | Laila Al-Qahtani | (2000-09-25) 25 September 2000 (age 23) | 1 | 0 | Al-Shabab | v. Andorra, 17 June 2023 |
DF | Huriyyah Al-Shamrani | (2004-07-14) 14 July 2004 (age 19) | 8 | 0 | Al-Ahli | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
DF | Aseel Ahmed | (1996-03-25) 25 March 1996 (age 28) | 1 | 0 | Al Nassr | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
DF | Tahani Al-Yunbaawi | (1995-10-01) 1 October 1995 (age 28) | 0 | 0 | Al Nassr | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
DF | Dalal Abdullatif | (1994-09-17) 17 September 1994 (age 29) | 5 | 0 | Al-Shabab | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
DF | Muneerah Ahmed | (1995-04-24) 24 April 1995 (age 29) | 0 | 0 | Al-Shabab | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
MF | Al Jawharah Saud | (2000-09-10) 10 September 2000 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | Al Hilal | 2024 WAFF Women's ChampionshipINJ |
MF | Juri Al-Johani | (2005-11-27) 27 November 2005 (age 18) | 0 | 0 | Al Hilal | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
MF | Renad Al-Sofyani | (2001-05-18) 18 May 2001 (age 23) | 0 | 0 | Al-Ahli | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
MF | Layan Jouhari | (2001-01-12) 12 January 2001 (age 23) | 7 | 0 | Al-Ittihad | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
MF | Rahf Al-Mansury | (1997-04-25) 25 April 1997 (age 27) | 1 | 0 | Al-Ahli | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
MF | Tahani Al-Zahrani | (1996-02-11) 11 February 1996 (age 28) | 3 | 0 | Al-Shabab | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
MF | Mariam Al-Tamimi | (2004-12-08) 8 December 2004 (age 19) | 8 | 3 | Al-Ittihad | v. Malaysia, 18 September 2023INJ |
MF | Rema Al-Thakafi | (1998-12-24) 24 December 1998 (age 25) | 1 | 0 | Al-Ahli | v. Andorra, 17 June 2023 |
MF | Majd Al-Otaibi | 2006 (age 17) | 1 | 0 | Al Hilal | v. Andorra, 17 June 2023 |
MF | Raghad Helmi | (1997-08-03) 3 August 1997 (age 26) | 3 | 0 | Al-Shabab | v. Indonesia, 26 February 2023 |
FW | Al Bandari Al-Hwsawi | (1993-05-09) 9 May 1993 (age 31) | 11 | 1 | Al Hilal | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
FW | Dalal Abdulwasi | (1995-01-13) 13 January 1995 (age 29) | 0 | 0 | Al Nassr | v. Syria, 12 January 2024 |
FW | Ameera Abu Al-Samh | (age 17) | 6 | 0 | McMaster Marauders | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
FW | Daliah Abu Laban | (1995-04-04) 4 April 1995 (age 29) | 6 | 1 | Al-Ahli | v. Malaysia, 30 September 2023 |
FW | Fadwa Khaled | (2005-01-25) 25 January 2005 (age 19) | 2 | 0 | Al-Ahli | v. Bhutan, 27 September 2023 |
INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury. |
Records
- Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 8 January 2024.[15]
Most-capped players
| Top goalscorers
|
Competitive record
So far, the team hasn't competed in the FIFA Women's World Cup, the Olympic Games, the Arab Women's Cup, the WAFF Women's Championship or the AFC Women's Asian Cup. They also haven't competed at the Asian Games yet, but as hosts for the 2034 edition they are automatically qualified.
Asian Games
Asian Games record | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hosts / Year | Result | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA | GD |
1990 | did not enter | |||||||
1994 | ||||||||
1998 | ||||||||
2002 | ||||||||
2006 | ||||||||
2010 | ||||||||
2014 | ||||||||
2018 | ||||||||
2022 | ||||||||
2026 | To be decided | |||||||
2030 | ||||||||
2034 | Qualified as host | |||||||
Total | 0/10 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
- *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
Head-to-head record
- Key
The following table shows Saudi Arabia's all-time official international record per opponent:
Opponent | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W% | Confederation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andorra | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | –5 | 0.00 | UEFA |
Bhutan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | –3 | 0.00 | AFC |
Comoros | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 | CAF |
Indonesia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | –1 | 0.00 | AFC |
Malaysia | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | –1 | 0.00 | AFC |
Maldives | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 | AFC |
Mauritius | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 100.00 | CAF |
Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 50.00 | AFC |
Palestine | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0.00 | AFC |
Seychelles | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 100.00 | CAF |
Syria | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | +5 | 100.00 | AFC |
Total | 19 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 19 | +3 | 36.84 | — |
Last updated: Saudi Arabia vs Syria, 12 January 2024.[15]
See also
- Saudi Arabia women's national under-20 football team
- Saudi Arabia women's national under-17 football team
References
- ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Hijabs approved for soccer players by FIFA – Montreal – CBC News". Cbc.ca. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
- ^ "Women's football". New Statesman. 137: 20. 2008. Retrieved 13 June 2012.
- ^ "Women's Rights in Saudi Arabia After King Abdullah".
- ^ "Salman: Rave in desert, women drivers: How Saudi is undergoing sweeping changes under Prince Salman – Times of India". The Times of India. 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia reforms open turnstiles to female football fans". Financial Times. 12 January 2018.
- ^ "Jeddah Eagles flying high with women's football win". Arab News. 9 December 2019.
- ^ "Saudi Arabia launches a soccer league for women". CNN. 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Arab nations cannot afford to ignore the rise of women's football". 29 July 2020.
- ^ "Monika Staab appointed coach of Saudi women's national football team". Arab News. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ "Saudi Arabian women's national team set for historic international debut in Maldives". Orbital Affairs. 18 February 2022. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
- ^ "Saudi women's national football team beat Seychelles in historic international win". Arab News. 20 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ (AR)لمياء بن بهيان: نخطط لمشاركة منتخب السعودية للسيدات في كأس العالم خلال 10 أعوام
- ^ "Women's National Team (2024)". Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF). Retrieved 4 May 2023.
- ^ a b c "Saudi Arabia – Team Info". Global Sports Archive. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ "Former Barcelona manager Lluis Cortes named Saudi Arabia women's head coach". theathletic.com. Charlotte Harpur. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
- ^ "Who's Who: Monika Staab, new coach of the Saudi women's national football team". arabnews.com. 15 August 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "الاتحاد السعودي يقدم شكره لمدربة منتخب السيدات روزا لابي بعد انتهاء مدة عقدها - الاتحاد السعودي لكرة القدم".
- ^ "من هو لويس كورتيس المدرب الجديد لأخضر السيدات؟".
- ^ "جدة تستضيف معسكر المنتخب الوطني للسيدات قبل بطولة غرب اسيا".
External links
- Official website
- Saudi Arabia national team website
- FIFA team profile
- v
- t
- e
- Saudi Arabian Football Federation
- History
- Managers
- Notable matches
- Results
- 1957–79
- 1980–99
- 2000–09
- 2010–19
- 2020–present
- Competitions
- Recent players
- International players
- Women
- Iran rivalry
- Iraq rivalry
- Kuwait rivalry
- UAE rivalry
- Women's
- Women's under-17
- U-23
- U-20
- U-17
- Futsal
- Beach soccer