Having lived in both China and Saudi Arabia, I have observed the distinct approaches each country employs towards advancement, especially regarding their increasing involvement in football. Both nations are endeavoring to enhance their international visibility not merely through hosting significant tournaments or acquiring high-profile athletes, but by establishing the infrastructure that will support the sport for future generations.
A geopolitical alliance between the emerging powers of Saudi Arabia and China presents a significant opportunity to transform football throughout Asia. This article examines the infrastructure-centric strategies adopted by each country, the obstacles encountered, and the potential impact of a collaborative initiative on the continent’s football environment.
China’s Football Infrastructure: Expansive, Yet Fragmented
In 2015, China launched a 30-year plan to become a “world football superpower” by 2050. The initiative aimed to create:
- 50,000 football schools
- 70,000 pitches
- And increase the number of players to 50 million by 2020.
Living in Beijing, I witnessed this initiative develop. Educational institutions constructed new synthetic playing surfaces, and municipal authorities funded weekend training camps and youth leagues. However, numerous projects revealed insufficient long-term sustainability. Facilities were occasionally underutilized or disregarded, and local excitement frequently did not align with state-level aspirations.
Large-scale stadiums like the Beijing National Stadium (80,000 capacity) and Guangdong Olympic Stadium (80,012 capacity) highlight China’s engineering capabilities. Yet these venues were built for multi-sport events like the Olympics, not tailored for football-specific culture and growth.
Furthermore, financial uncertainty has afflicted Chinese clubs. A significant instance is Guangzhou FC, which collapsed following the Evergrande financial disaster. The club, once winners of the AFC Champions League, faced relegation in 2022 and encountered difficulties in remaining competitive.
Saudi Arabia’s Infrastructure Revolution: Purpose-Driven and Expanding
In contrast, Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure strategy is more focused and event-oriented. Under Vision 2030, the country has committed over $20 billion toward sports and football infrastructure. Hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup has accelerated these developments dramatically.
Key projects include:
- 15 stadiums across five cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM.
- 134 training facilities, 72 training camps, and 60 stadium-affiliated installations.
I’ve seen this ambition firsthand in Riyadh and Jeddah’s stadiums are being renovated to world-class standards, and new smart districts with integrated transit and hospitality are underway. But Saudi Arabia also understands the need for sustainable planning and global partnerships to deliver on its vision.
Case Study: Jeddah Central Development Stadium
A perfect illustration of the Saudi-China partnership is the Jeddah Central Development Stadium, scheduled to open in 2027, featuring a capacity of 45,794 seats. Situated in the ancient Al-Balad district, it is not merely a football venue; it is integral to a substantial waterfront transformation that includes a museum, oceanarium, and opera theater.
What makes this stadium notable is the construction partnership involved:
- China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) – One of the world’s largest infrastructure firms.
- SAMA Contracting – A Saudi construction giant
This project illustrates how the technical capacity of Chinese firms can integrate with Saudi capital and cultural vision to deliver complex, high-impact infrastructure on tight timelines.
Strategic Synergies: The Future of Collaboration
This partnership shouldn’t stop at one stadium. Here’s how both nations can scale their collaboration:
Saudi Arabia can fund the creation of smaller, smart stadiums across Asia while Chinese firms handle construction and technology. These stadiums can be modular, energy-efficient, and equipped with:
- AI-powered ticketing and security
- 5G-enabled streaming for fan experiences
- Renewable energy integration
Joint Football Academies
China has experience in top-down player development systems. Saudi Arabia, through the Mahd Academy and club-level investment, is focusing on talent cultivation. They can co-develop regional academies in Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Riyadh, Jeddah or NEOM.
These institutions can serve as pan-Asian elite training hubs, complete with medical facilities, analytics labs, and coaching certification programs. The coaching certification programs can open the pathways for both saudi arabian and chinese people to obtain coaching license which can help further improve each countries respective youth system.
Investing in the Next Generation: Joint Youth Football Development
While stadiums and mega-events capture headlines, the real legacy of football infrastructure lies in its impact on youth development. Both Saudi Arabia and China recognize this and have launched national initiatives aimed at turning young talent into future stars. However, challenges remain ones that a two-sided collaboration could help overcome.
China’s Scaled Yet Strained Youth Pipeline
After the 2015 reform, China integrated football into the curriculum of over 20,000 schools. By 2020, nearly 30,000 schools had added football programs. Cities like Beijing and Guangzhou now host elite academies, including the Evergrand Real Madrid Football School.
Despite this, the system faces:
- Over-centralized management and red tape.
- Limited competition opportunities.
- Cultural pressure favoring academics over athletics.
Saudi Arabia’s Emerging Talent Engine
The Mahd Sports Academy, launched in 2020, scouts and trains youth athletes from across Saudi Arabia. Clubs like Aal-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Nassr are investing in U-17 and U-19 teams, and often send players abroad for exposure.
Challenges include:
- A lack of international youth competition.
- Infrastructure gaps in rural areas.
- Over-reliance on imported senior players.
Collaborative Solutions: How They Can Help Each Other
Joint Youth Academies Across Asia
These bi-national institutions could operate in both countries’ major cities as mentioned previously. Training programs would combine China’s technical rigor with Saudi Arabia’s exposure to elite-level coaches and player lifestyles.
Youth Tournaments and Player Exchanges
A co-hosted Asian Youth Super Cup would give U-15 to U-19 squads high-level match experience. Player exchanges could allow Chinese players to train with top Saudi clubs, and vice versa. Saudi could acquire the top chinese players to help further boost their league with new talent. Similar to how Scotland, specifically Celtic FC buy Japanese players from the Japanese League, then develop them to become prominent players.
Curriculum and Coach Development
Co-developed coaching programs could modernize training for Asian youth, focusing on mental and tactical preparation, not just physical development.
Technology and Sports Science
Huawei’s sports wearables and Saudi-backed research can create next-gen development tools: real-time fatigue tracking, AI performance models, and tactical simulations in VR.
A Shared Blueprint for Asian Football
What I’ve observed living in both Saudi Arabia and China is that while their paths to progress differ, their goals align. Football is more than a sport, it’s a symbol of national identity, ambition, and international reach.
By leveraging Chinese speed, scale, and tech expertise alongside Saudi financial power, cultural vision, and event momentum, the two nations can engineer a new era of football infrastructure, one that lifts all of Asian Football. This isn’t just about World Cups or famous players. It’s about building the foundations of something lasting.