Saudi spending on international transfers dwarfed Egypt in 2024, with the Kingdom’s total spending on international transfers leading the region with USD 465 mn, while Egyptian football clubs came in fourth place clocking in just USD 7.4 mn, according to a report (pdf) by Asharq Business. Local spending on international players was down 22.1% y-o-y over the 12-month period.

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International transfer spending fell 45.3% y-o-y across the region, coming in at USD 667.7 mn. The previous notched in USD 1.2 bn in spending, driven by Saudi clubs deploying USD 970 mn for international talent — including Neymar, Mane, and other big names — that pushed up regional spending 19.2x compared to the year before.

Egypt came in second in the region for international transfer revenue in 2024, with proceeds from sales of players to teams outside of Egypt rising 19.4% y-o-y to clock in USD 12.3 mn. The report pointed to exchange rate instability as to why Egyptian clubs were eager to accept offers to sell players overseas.

International transfer revenues were up across the region, clocking in a 40.5% y-o-y increase to USD 71.2 million for the 12-month period. The number of transfers also increased compared to 2023, rising 6.9% to 1.7k. Leading the region in terms of transfer revenue was Saudi Arabia with USD 27.9 mn — a 65.1% y-o-y rise.

EGYPT WANTS TO HOST SOME 2034 WORLD CUP MATCHES-

Egypt wants a piece of the action: Egypt has requested to host some of the group-stage matches for the 2034 World Cup, Egyptian Football Association President Hany Abo Rida said (watch, runtime: 4:49) during an address to the CAF Extraordinary General Assembly yesterday.

REMEMBER- Saudi Arabia was awarded the right to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup last December after its bid went uncontested, receiving strong backing from the Football Association.

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