Given Saudi Arabia’s substantial investment and long-term vision for both sports and esports, it comes as no surprise that the country has emerged as a global focal point in football esports. This leadership is reflected not only in the number and scale of international competitions it has hosted – and often won – over the past two years, but also in the rise of top-tier Saudi clubs like Team Falcons and Twisted Minds, and in the growing international recognition of Saudi players who continue to captivate fans with their skill and consistency on the virtual pitch.

But beyond hosting and competition, Saudi Arabia has made a deliberate effort to build a sustainable football esports ecosystem – one that cultivates fan communities, develops homegrown talent, and ensures long-term growth through structured national support. This holistic approach is central to the country’s strategy for shaping the future of esports, both regionally and globally.

At the heart of this development are two key institutions that have made it possible: the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF). Together, they are not just supporting the growth of football esports – they actively redefine what it means to engage with the game.

To better understand the motivations behind this momentum and the broader vision for football esports in Saudi Arabia, Saud Alayaf, Senior Coordinator of the Competition Committee at SAFF, and Yazeed Almansour, Head of Community Development at SEF, offered insights into the country’s strategy and ambitions. While SAFF brings decades of experience rooted in traditional football, SEF contributes a modern, tech-driven approach to competitive gaming. The result is a complementary force driving Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the space.

Determined to lead

A clear theme across both institutions is leadership – not just in participation, but in setting global standards.

“Saudi Arabia is a leader in hosting major football esports events, driven by a strong national will to lead, not just participate,” said Alayaf. “With experience in traditional football, [SAFF] is now channeling that passion into esports. Backed by Vision 2030, we’re investing in talent, technology, and global partnerships to shape the future of esport football.”

For SEF, this ambition is part of a larger national identity rooted in gaming and innovation. “At SEF, we don’t see football esports and esports in general as a side project – we see it as a core pillar of Saudi Arabia’s gaming identity,” said Almansour. “Our determination to lead comes from a national vision: to be a global hub for esports, and to do that by setting new benchmarks, not following them. Whether it’s through the structure of our leagues, the quality of our productions, or the performance of our players, we’re building an ecosystem that is world-class from grassroots to elite.”

This leadership is not just conceptual – it’s right there on display. Back in 2024, Saudi Arabia hosted the inaugural AFC eChampions League, a major regional milestone that brought together Asia’s best football esports teams after the already innovative launch of the AFC eAsian Cup back in 2023. The successful execution of these event reinforced the country’s ability to deliver elite competitions while showcasing local talent and fan enthusiasm on an international stage. This becomes evident once more during the FIFAe Finals 2023 and FIFAe Finals 2024, where the participation of Saudi Arabia was key for the events’ success.

The fanbase expands

In a country where football warrants passionate support at both club and international levels, it is only natural that this energy would begin to spill into the digital space. Both SAFF and SEF observe that football esports is capturing the enthusiasm and passion of fans just as powerfully as the traditional game.

“(…) The passion Saudi Arabia has for football is now growing around football esports too,” notes Alayaf. “We’re seeing fans connect with players and teams, showing the same energy and support they give to traditional clubs – especially as the scene continues to grow.”

Almansour confirms this evolution and states that the energy is spilling organically and quickly: “The passion Saudis have for traditional football naturally extends into football esports. We’ve seen this in the growing attendance at events, social media engagement with esports athletes, and the energy in the arena when national-level matches are played. What’s exciting is that fans are not just supporting clubs or teams, they’re starting to recognize and cheer for individual esports athletes as stars […]. That shift is a sign that a true football esports culture is taking root”

The passion in the stadium has come to the virtual pitch

The emotional intensity of football fandom is now fully present in the esports space, especially in flagship events such as FIFAe competitions. Both federations see this as a reflection of football’s deep roots in Saudi society—and a foundation for planning events that feel just as meaningful as those on the physical pitch.

“The passion we’ve seen from fans at events like FIFAe, especially FIFAe World Cup 2024™ featuring Rocket League, clearly reflects Saudi Arabia’s deep love for football” explains Alayaf. “That energy plays a big role in how we shape the football esports experience – from the atmosphere at live events to how we keep fans engaged and involved throughout the journey. We aim to create experiences that carry the same intensity and connection fans have always felt for the sport.

SEF shares that same vision of delivering meaningful, emotional experiences. “Football is deeply embedded in Saudi culture, it’s a source of identity, pride, and unity. So, when fans engage with football esports, they bring the same emotional intensity. We take that seriously in our planning. From how matches are staged, to how players are presented, to the content and commentary, it all reflects the storytelling style of traditional football. We want the experience to feel familiar, exciting, and inspirational. Our goal is to make esports fans feel the same goosebumps they get in a packed stadium.”

The bridge between aspiration and achievement

For both SEF and SAFF, connecting grassroots participation with elite performance is a strategic priority, and this is evident in the growth of Saudi players in different esports titles. This vision ensures that the enthusiasm of young players translates into long-term opportunity and competitive success.

SEF has built an ecosystem to make that dream possible: “We’ve built SEF’s ecosystem to function as a true pathway, not a series of disconnected events. Our grassroots leagues, school and university programs, and SEF Academy are designed to identify talent early and develop it consistently. These players don’t just compete, they’re trained, mentored, and given exposure. And when they’re ready, they graduate into our national team system and elite leagues. What makes us proud is that the dream is no longer theoretical, we’ve already seen young players go from living rooms to world stages. That connectivity is the engine of everything we do.”

This structured pipeline aligns with SAFF’s broader ambition to show young players a clear future in the field highlighted by Alayaf: “Locally, it’s about inspiring players and showing them that there's a real future in this field.”

Together, SEF and SAFF work on a context where a young Saudi player is able to rise professionally from grassroots tournaments to international competition and recognition, supported every step of the way. And this is an essential system within player and community development.

The vision of Saudi Arabia onto football esports

Looking ahead, Saudi Arabia’s ambitions go far beyond national borders. Through consistent efforts in player development, event hosting, and community engagement, SAFF and SEF aim to position the country as a reference point for football esports globally. “We hope that both local and international communities recognize Saudi Arabia’s genuine commitment to football esports,” says Alayaf. “Globally, we want our work to reflect a long-term investment in the growth of the scene – not just through major events, but by helping build a vibrant, open, and lasting ecosystem that everyone can be part of.”

Almansour echoes that ambition with a message to the international community: “We hope they see what’s possible when you treat esports as a serious, structured, and empowering platform. Locally, we want young players to know that if they’re passionate, the opportunity is real. Internationally, we want the world to see that Saudi Arabia is not just participating, we’re shaping the future of esports. Whether it's through player development, event quality, or fan experience, we’re committed to setting a new global standard. And we hope others are inspired to raise the game with us.”

About Saudi Arabia and FIFAe

Saudi Arabia’s role in the growth of FIFAe competitions has been both strategic and cultural. The country has not only hosted and supported international events, it has also produced champions who have defined and shaped the history of FIFAe.

Their historic participation and development of FIFAe Champions has also set a great record for the country as a nurturer of Champions. Starting with Abdulaziz Alshehri winning the FIFA Interactive World Cup back in 2015, moving towards the legend Msdossary who won the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018, and has remained active in the community ever since; and in 2024, with new multi-title format at hand, Saudi Arabia’sRw9, Kiileerrz, trk511 and d7oom-24 became the first Champions of FIFAe World Cup™ featuring Rocket League.

Saudi Arabia has built a legacy of excellence that does not only positions the country as an incredible source of talent and passion, but also as an example of what can be done in the global stage of football esports, especially in combined efforts. The achievements of the country have reflected a will, not only to be very present in the world of esports but also to lead, win and inspire others.