Seba Tawfiq: Driving the next chapter of Saudi women’s football

Riyadh: From playing football with boys in schoolyards to pursuing her dream of leading Saudi Arabia to its first FIFA Women’s World Cup, Seba Tawfiq has emerged as one of the faces of a generation transforming women’s football in the Kingdom.

A professional footballer whose journey has mirrored the rapid evolution of the women’s game in Saudi Arabia, Tawfiq combines resilience on the pitch with a growing influence beyond it. Whether overcoming injury setbacks, embracing new opportunities or inspiring the next generation, she remains focused on leaving a lasting legacy.

For Tawfiq, football began with simple curiosity.

“I had a natural attraction to football from a young age. I remember seeing a group of boys playing at school and being curious to join them. I was the only girl, and it turned out I was actually better than many of them. From there, I started playing with Al-Ittihad, and everything grew naturally. That journey has brought me to where I am today, and hopefully there is still much more to come.”

The memories of those early years continue to shape her approach today. Growing up between Saudi Arabia and Canada gave her an adaptability that has proved invaluable throughout her career, while competing alongside boys strengthened her competitive instincts.

Toughening up

“Playing with boys in Saudi made me tougher and more competitive.

“Moving between Canada and Saudi Arabia at a young age helped me adapt quickly to new environments and challenges.

“Living in two different countries and playing football with different groups and age ranges helped me develop strong social skills.

“Those experiences made me more resilient, competitive and confident as a player.”

Looking back, Tawfiq says one of the most