It is not just about football: An exploration of football, social change and national identity in Saudi Arabia

In recent years, football in Saudi Arabia has evolved from a popular sport into a potential vehicle for social change, driven by substantial growth in the sport. This has included significant investments in local clubs, hosting high-profile international tournaments, and attracting globally renowned players. These developments are closely aligned with the Kingdom's broader socio-economic goals under Vision 2030. Despite this rapid development, there remains a notable lack of scholarly research exploring how football intersects with social change and national identity in the Saudi context. To address this gap, the present study draws on 14 semi-structured interviews with academics and professionals with relevant expertise in Saudi football to examine how football may contribute to societal change and national identity formation. The findings indicate that participants perceived football as contributing to women's visibility and participation, expressions of national pride, and cultural interaction, while also providing a context in which evolving notions of Saudi identity may be expressed and negotiated.