FIFA and Saudi Arabia Collaborate on Stadium Financing Initiative

omidbasir- On Monday, FIFA announced a significant partnership with Saudi Arabia, introducing up to $1 billion in stadium-financing loans aimed at supporting developing countries.

The initiative, backed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and FIFA, will provide subsidized loans to member football associations for the construction or 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 sponsorship with Saudi state oil company Aramco for the 2026 World Cup.

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

In a recent press release, FIFA emphasized that the partnership “underscores a shared commitment to support developing nations in strengthening their sports ecosystems as part of broader efforts to advance social and economic development.”

During a ceremony in Zurich to celebrate this collaboration, Infantino highlighted the importance of infrastructure development, expressing gratitude to the Saudi Fund for Development and its CEO for facilitating this partnership.

Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the SFD, stated: “We at SFD believe in the power of sports to change lives. We are combining our strengths—SFD’s development finance and FIFA’s technical expertise—not only to build venues but also to create lasting legacies. Our investment in infrastructure will unlock human potential, generate jobs, empower young people, and strengthen communities for generations to come.”

The Saudi Public Investment Fund has also been involved in the LIV Golf project and has sponsored major boxing events.

FIFA previously announced a global broadcast agreement with streaming service DAZN for the Club World Cup set for December 2024, shortly before confirming Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 men’s World Cup. Speculation regarding a Saudi investment of approximately $1 billion in DAZN was later confirmed.