In recent years, clubs from Saudi Arabia have made a powerful entrance into international football, dazzling the world with high-profile signings. Now, a new team is emerging: Neom SC, aiming to revolutionize the sport both nationally and globally. 

Neom SC is a newly branded team, originally founded in 1965 as Al-Suqoor Club. After decades in the lower divisions, the club underwent a transformation in 2023 when NEOM acquired it, changed its name, and launched an ambitious sports project, positioning the team as a top contender in the Saudi Pro League. 

NEOM, the club’s owner, is also behind the futuristic urban project The Line, a 170-kilometer-long city to be built in the Tabuk desert. The city will feature underground public transport and mirrored facades, setting a new standard in urban planning worldwide. 

Neom SC’s stadium will be a marvel: NEOM Stadium will rise 350 meters above the desert, hold 45,000 spectators, and be accessible only by public transport or sea. Construction is scheduled to start in 2027 and finish in 2032, in preparation for the 2034 World Cup hosted in Saudi Arabia. Experts, however, have raised concerns about ecological and logistical challenges. 

Transfer market for NEOM SC

On the sporting side, Neom SC has impressed with signings like Lacazette, Doucouré, and Benrahma, demonstrating that ambition extends beyond the stadium.

The club is managed by French coach Cristopher Galtier, highlighting the strong French influence in the squad. Young talents like Nathan Zézé and Saïmon Bouabré from Nantes and Monaco also reinforce the club’s future-oriented strategy. 

Combining futuristic infrastructure, sports marketing, and urban development, Neom SC represents a bold challenge for football in Saudi Arabia. Fans and experts alike are watching closely: can a stadium and a squad seemingly straight out of a futuristic vision truly transform the sport and elevate the nation’s profile on the international stage?