Pakistan’s Football Manufacturing Giant Looks to Launch Operations in Saudi Arabia

In the world of football, the spotlight usually shines on players, stadiums, and billion-dollar leagues. Rarely does it fall on the hands that actually make the ball, the skilled workers who stitch together the very heart of the game. Yet from a city in Pakistan known more for craftsmanship than celebrity, one company has helped shape some of football’s biggest global moments. Now, that expertise is heading to the Middle East.

Forward Sports, the Sialkot-based company known globally for producing top-quality footballs, is planning to launch operations in Saudi Arabia in 2026. If realized, the move would mark an important milestone not only for the company but also for Pakistan’s sports-goods industry, which has long played a quiet but vital role in the global football supply chain.

The expansion plan was shared by Forward Sports CEO Khawaja Masood Akhtar in an interview with Arab News. Rather than immediately setting up large-scale factories, the company plans to begin with marketing, distribution, and business development through a joint venture with a Saudi partner. It’s a measured, strategic approach designed to establish a local presence before considering deeper investments.

From Sialkot to the World

Forward Sports is not just another exporter, it is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading football manufacturers. The company produces millions of footballs each year and has been a long-time supplier to major international sports brands, including Adidas. Its footballs have been used in some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, including recent FIFA World Cups.

All of this global reach traces back to Sialkot, a Pakistani city famous for its sports-goods manufacturing. For decades, Sialkot has been a major supplier of hand-stitched footballs to the world. Generations of skilled workers, specialized craftsmanship, and a deep supplier network have helped the city earn a reputation for quality and reliability.

Forward Sports grew within this ecosystem, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques. Its ability to meet strict international performance standards is one reason global brands continue to trust the company with high-profile contracts.

By expanding into Saudi Arabia, Forward Sports is not shifting its base away from Pakistan. Instead, it is extending its commercial footprint while keeping its manufacturing roots firmly in Sialkot.

Why Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in sports as part of its broader strategy to diversify its economy. In recent years, the Kingdom has hosted major international events, from high-profile boxing matches and Formula 1 races to global football tournaments. Stadiums, academies, and sports facilities are being built or upgraded, and football remains a central focus of these efforts.

For a company like Forward Sports, this presents a strong opportunity. Establishing operations in Saudi Arabia would allow the firm to be closer to customers, respond more quickly to demand, and build direct relationships with local distributors, clubs, and sports organizations.

According to the CEO’s statements, the initial phase will involve sending a small team from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia to set up the business structure, likely in Riyadh. The focus will be on marketing and partnerships rather than immediate large-scale production. A joint venture with a Saudi sports-goods partner is planned, although the identity has not yet been publicly disclosed.

A Step-by-Step Market Entry

Forward Sports is taking a gradual route instead of rushing into factory construction. This kind of phased entry is common when companies expand into new markets. The early stages typically focus on understanding local regulations, building networks, and studying customer preferences.

Certain activities, such as packaging, labeling, or limited assembly, could potentially be carried out in Saudi Arabia if it makes commercial and regulatory sense. Such steps could also help meet any localization requirements. However, the main manufacturing operations are expected to remain in Pakistan, where Forward Sports already has established facilities, skilled labor, and supply chains.

This model allows the company to tap into Saudi Arabia’s growing sports market while preserving the cost advantages and technical expertise of its Sialkot base.

What This Means for Pakistan

The move is significant for Pakistan’s export-driven industries. Sports goods are one of the country’s specialized manufacturing strengths, and Sialkot’s football sector is among its most successful global stories. When a Pakistani manufacturer like Forward Sports sets up operations abroad, it reflects confidence in the quality and competitiveness of local industry.

The expansion also strengthens economic ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. The two countries already share close political and economic relations, and private-sector partnerships in areas like sports manufacturing can deepen trade links and open doors for future collaboration.

Importantly, keeping core production in Pakistan means continued demand for skilled workers in Sialkot. As Forward Sports grows its international presence and sales, its manufacturing base at home is likely to remain a crucial part of the supply chain.

Quality That Meets Global Standards

One of the key reasons Forward Sports has been able to secure international contracts is its technical capability. Producing high-performance footballs involves advanced materials, precise panel construction, strict quality control, and consistency at large volumes. Meeting the standards required for elite competitions and global brands demands years of experience and continuous improvement.

That expertise gives Forward Sports a strong foundation as it enters new markets. Saudi Arabia’s professional leagues, sports academies, and expanding football culture create demand for reliable, high-quality equipment, exactly the segment in which the company operates.

A Strategic Move Into Saudi Arabia

With 2026 as the target year for potentially launching operations in Saudi Arabia, Forward Sports’ plan should be seen as the beginning of a long-term strategy rather than an overnight transformation. The early focus on marketing and partnerships shows the company is prioritizing relationships and market understanding before committing to major infrastructure investments.

If Saudi Arabia’s sports sector continues to grow, as current trends suggest, Forward Sports could gradually expand its footprint in the Kingdom. Over time, that might include broader distribution networks, regional logistics support, or more localized production processes.

For now, though, the development highlights something bigger: a Pakistani manufacturer known for crafting footballs used on the world’s biggest stages is positioning itself to step into one of the Middle East’s fastest-growing sports markets.

From the workshops of Sialkot to the stadiums of Saudi Arabia, the journey of a football may soon get shorter, and Pakistan’s role in the global game is becoming more visible than ever.