Saudi Footballer Nadeen Kaaki Eyes National Team Spot

When Nadeen Kaaki learned in 2020 that girls could finally play organized football in Saudi Arabia, she didn't hesitate. The news changed everything for the then 17-year-old, who joined a small academy called Tigers and began chasing a dream she hadn't known was possible.

"I still can't describe how happy I was when I found out there was football for girls in Saudi Arabia," Kaaki told Arab News. "For me, the news was huge."

Just four years later, Kaaki has achieved what would have seemed impossible when she started. She signed her first professional contract with Al-Ittihad in the Women's Premier League and received a call-up to Saudi Arabia's U-20 women's national team.

Her father made it all possible, driving her to every practice and attending every match. "He was with me from the first day," Kaaki said. "He accompanied me at every step, went through the trouble of taking me back and forth, waited for me for hours until I finished training and never missed a match."

Balancing school with a demanding football schedule meant taking her textbooks to the club and studying during any free moments. During exam periods, she would step away from training to prepare, then return to the pitch once tests were complete.

The national team call-up came at a perfect time. "I was going through a slightly difficult period at the time, and when I received the news, I was happier than I can describe," she said. "Even now, whenever I remember it, I feel the same way."

In 2024, Spanish coaches at a Sporting Gijon camp in Jeddah named Kaaki the top-ranked female player, earning her a spot at another camp in Spain. That recognition opened doors she's still walking through.

The Ripple Effect

Kaaki's progress mirrors the explosive growth of women's football across Saudi Arabia. In just six years, the Kingdom has built organized leagues and developed age categories from U-13 through U-20, creating pathways for girls considerably younger than Kaaki was when she started.

"Women's football in Saudi Arabia has developed enormously, whether in terms of media coverage, support or the number of opportunities available," she said. "All of this has happened in only six years, which for me is a major achievement, and I still think the best is yet to come."

She's also preparing for life beyond playing. In 2026, she completed the AFC Women's D Coaching License course, adding another dimension to her football career.

Now, after her contract with Al-Himmah expired, Kaaki is preparing to join another top tier club with clear goals ahead. She wants to return to the Premier League and represent the senior Saudi national team.

Her definition of success goes beyond trophies or contracts. "When the day comes for me to stop playing, I want to stop feeling satisfied with my journey and every step I worked for and feel that I really achieved what I dreamed of."