FIFA Announces $1 Billion Stadium Financing Initiative with Saudi Arabia

omidbasir- On Monday, FIFA announced a substantial collaboration with Saudi Arabia, unveiling plans to provide up to $1 billion in stadium-financing loans aimed at assisting developing countries.

The Saudi Fund for Development, in conjunction with FIFA, will offer subsidized loans to football associations to facilitate the construction and renovation of stadiums.

This partnership comes as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the Men’s World Cup for the first time in 2034.

Additionally, FIFA has secured a sponsorship agreement with Saudi state oil company Aramco for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described this agreement as “a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.”

In a press release, FIFA emphasized that the deal highlights a mutual commitment to bolster the sports ecosystems of developing nations, contributing to broader social and economic development initiatives.

During a ceremony in Zurich to commemorate the agreement, Infantino stated, “Developing and building infrastructure is extremely, extremely important. I would like to extend my gratitude to the Saudi Fund for Development, its CEO, and the entire team for making this partnership possible.”

Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, remarked, “We at SFD believe in the power of sports to change lives. We are leveraging our strengths—SFD’s development finance and FIFA’s technical expertise—not only to create venues but also to establish lasting legacies. Our investment in infrastructure aims to unlock human potential, generate jobs, empower youth, and strengthen communities for future generations.”

The Saudi Public Investment Fund has also played a significant role in funding the LIV Golf project and sponsoring high-profile boxing events.

Moreover, FIFA announced a global broadcasting deal for the Club World Cup with streaming service DAZN, which is set to commence in December 2024, just two days before confirming Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 Men’s World Cup.

Speculation surrounding Saudi investment in DAZN, reportedly amounting to approximately $1 billion, was later confirmed a few weeks after FIFA’s announcement.