Saudi Arabia is set to make history as they participate in the WAFF Women's Championship for the very first time. This is a significant milestone for women's football in the country, as it marks their inaugural entry into a women's regional championship organized by the West Asian Football Federation.
The eighth West Asian Federation Women's Football Championship will be hosted by Saudi Arabia in the city of Jeddah from February 19 to 29. In addition to the host nation, teams from Jordan, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Nepal, and Guam will also be competing in the tournament. The latter two teams were specially invited to participate, adding an exciting international element to the event.
The draw for the tournament took place on February 5 at the Jordanian capital, Amman, with the events being broadcast live on the WAFF's YouTube channel. The Saudi team, led by former Barcelona coach Lluis Cortes, was placed in Group A alongside Lebanon, Guam, and Jordan. Group B will see the teams of Palestine, Nepal, Syria, and Iraq competing for the two qualifying spots.
In previous editions of the WAFF Women's Championship, the Jordanian national team has been dominant, securing five titles out of the seven tournaments held so far. The remaining two championships were won by the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, the Saudi team, in their debut appearance, will face stiff competition from experienced teams with a history of success.
The group stage matches will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, while the final rounds of the tournament will be held at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium. These state-of-the-art venues promise to provide an excellent setting for the competition.
Lamia bint Ibrahim bin Bahian, the Vice President of the Saudi Football Federation and Head of the Women's Committee in the West Asian Football Federation, extended a warm welcome to all participating teams and expressed her wishes for a pleasant stay in the Kingdom. She emphasized that hosting this tournament is a crucial step in the development of women's football in Saudi Arabia, which has made significant strides in a relatively short period.
Khalil Al-Salem, the Secretary-General of the West Asian Football Federation, commended the Saudi Federation for their continuous support and involvement in football activities in the region. He praised their commitment to women's football, which aligns with the West Asian Federation's efforts to foster growth in this sector.
The anticipation is high for this landmark event in Saudi women's football. As the tournament unfolds, the Saudi team will have an opportunity to showcase their skills and passion for the sport, while also gaining valuable experience on the regional stage. This can be seen as a stepping stone towards further progress and recognition for women's football in Saudi Arabia.
