Saudi Arabia has played in the men's football World Cup six times. The most famous moment came in 2022 in Qatar, when Saudi Arabia beat Argentina - that year's eventual winners - 2-1 in the first round. It is still talked about as one of the great World Cup surprises.
The Saudi Pro League is the country's top football division. In the last few years, some of the most famous players in the world have come to play in it, including Cristiano Ronaldo (who plays in Riyadh) and many other top international stars. Saudi clubs like Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr have huge fan followings.
Football in Saudi Arabia is changing fast. Women's football clubs have grown rapidly, with a national women's league and a national team that has been playing more and more international matches. Many Saudi schools now have girls' football teams too.
Football is also a community thing. Every neighbourhood has its little pitch. After sunset, when the heat fades, the pitches fill up with players of every age. Saudi cities sound a bit like every other footballing country in the world - the thud of a ball, kids shouting, parents cheering.

