Saudi Press

Saudi Arabia and the world
Tuesday, Mar 24, 2026

Saudi football legend Sami Al-Jaber enrolls at Sunderland

Saudi football legend Sami Al-Jaber enrolls at Sunderland

Saudi footballing great Sami Al-Jaber is boosting his already impressive CV by enrolling at the University of Sunderland.
Sami is widely recognized as one of Saudi Arabia’s greatest footballers, having played for Al-Hilal SFC between 1989 and 2007, and representing his home country in four consecutive World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002, and 2006). In total, he scored 46 goals in 156 international appearances for the club.

Sami also had a brief loan spell at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 2000.

Now, aged 49, the retired striker is ready for a new challenge – studying a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program at the University of Sunderland’s London campus.

“I would like to express my appreciation,” Sami said.

“The University of Sunderland is just amazing in all aspects that I have seen so far, and they are really supporting me to achieve my future goals and vision. I’m excited to complete my education journey there.”

Sami, who is an ambassador for Adidas, FIFA and Saudi Pro Football, has presented on beIN SPORTS alongside the likes of Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer.

He is also a board member at Qobolak Study Abroad, a Saudi-based company that places thousands of international students in top universities.

Ian Moody, Deputy Director of International at the University of Sunderland, said: “It was great to welcome Sami to our campus in London and I’m sure he will benefit greatly from studying our MBA.

“Sami is already a very successful businessman and I’m sure he can add a lot of context and real-life case studies to his theoretical learning.

“Qobolak is a key partner of ours based in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are exploring various collaborations including Transnational Education, short course delivery and student recruitment from the Kingdom to both our campuses in Sunderland and London.

“We have for several years had a demand across areas of health sciences, but we are now seeing demand from Saudi Arabia in arts, tourism and hospitality.”

Mostafa Saeed, Chief Executive of Qobolak, added: “We proudly have a strong and great partnership with University of Sunderland.

“We really appreciate all the great efforts that Sunderland has done for all our students, including Sami Al-Jaber.”
Newsletter

Related Articles

Saudi Press
0:00
0:00
Close
Trump to Deliver Keynote Address at Saudi-Backed Investment Summit in Miami Beach
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Press Ahead With Energy Agreements Despite Regional Conflict
Can Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu Port Replace Hormuz? Capacity Limits Test Critical Oil Lifeline
Saudi Arabia Detects Ballistic Missiles as Regional Tensions Escalate in Gulf
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Aramco Reduces Oil Shipments to Asia for Second Consecutive Month
Saudi Arabia and UAE Push Ahead With Major Deals Despite Iran-Related Uncertainty
Formula One Cancels Bahrain and Saudi Arabia Grands Prix Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Pakistan Signals Strategic Realignment Toward Saudi Arabia Amid Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia Cuts Oil Shipments to Asia as Regional Conflict Disrupts Key Export Routes
Saudi Arabia Moves to Contain Regional Escalation as Houthis Signal Readiness to Join Conflict
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Saudi Arabia Signals Independent Nuclear Strategy Unaffected by Iran Tensions
Egypt Reaffirms Strong Support for Saudi Arabia as Sisi Condemns Iran’s Gulf Attacks
Saudi Stocks Close Higher as Tadawul Index Gains 0.55% on Broad Sector Strength
Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles Toward Riyadh as Gulf Conflict Intensifies
Barcelona Midfielder Marc Casadó Attracts €40 Million Interest from Saudi Clubs
Strait of Hormuz Tensions Rise as Saudi Arabia Opens Key Air Base to US Forces
Saudi Arabia Confronts Strategic Turning Point as Iran Conflict Redefines Regional Alliances
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missile as Two Others Land in Remote Area Without Casualties
Saudi Expulsion of Iranian Military Attaché Raises Doubts Over Fragile Riyadh–Tehran Rapprochement
Saudi Arabia’s Strategic East–West Pipeline Gains Global Attention as Energy Routes Face Growing Risks
Iran Reportedly Reduces Strikes on Saudi Arabia Amid Concerns Over Strong Retaliation
Saudi Arabia Criticises Israeli Strikes in Southern Syria Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Egypt and Saudi Arabia Warn Iran’s Actions Threaten Stability Across the Gulf
Saudi Arabia Unveils Comprehensive 2026 Roadmap to Streamline Company Formation
Saudi-UAE Tensions Reveal Emerging Rivalry at the Heart of Gulf Power Dynamics
Saudi Arabia Launches Gulf Maritime Support Initiative to Safeguard Shipping
Saudi Arabia Expands US Military Access as UAE Braces for Prolonged Iran Conflict
Saudi Arabia Expels Iranian Diplomats Amid Escalating Regional Tensions
Saudi Arabia’s Edarat Wins Major Data Centre Deal with Regional Bank
Iran Intensifies Gulf Offensive as Saudi Arabia Intercepts Dozens of Drones
Regional Powers Hold Security Talks as Turkey Seeks New Strategic Pact
Asian Refiners Urge Saudi Arabia to Revise Oil Pricing Mechanism Amid War-Driven Volatility
Gulf States Weigh US Base Access and Military Alignment as Iran War Intensifies
IRGC Claims Strikes on Israel, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia as Conflict Widens
Remains of Fallen Soldier Repatriated Following Death in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia Intercepts Multiple Drones Amid Continued Iranian-Linked Attacks
Iran Tensions Challenge Saudi Arabia’s Strategic Shift to Red Sea Oil Exports
Saudi Arabia Turns to Alternative Export Routes as Hormuz Disruption Strains Oil Flows
Saudi Arabia and UAE Move Closer to Backing US-Israeli Campaign Against Iran
Saudi Arabia Signals Readiness for Military Response as Iran Tensions Escalate
Saudi Arabia Warns Oil Could Surge Beyond $180 as Iran Conflict Disrupts Global Supply
Saudi Arabia Reports Drone Strike on Key Red Sea Refinery in Yanbu
United States Urges Citizens to Leave Saudi Arabia Amid Escalating Regional Conflict
Former Media Executive Chronicles Rise of Saudi Crown Prince in New Book
Saudi Aramco–Exxon Refinery in Yanbu Targeted in Latest Wave of Iranian Attacks
Greek-Operated Patriot System Intercepts Iranian Missiles Over Saudi Arabia
Asian Refiners Urge Saudi Arabia to Revise Oil Pricing as War Upends Markets
×