FIFA and Saudi Arabia Forge Partnership for Stadium Development

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

The initiative, in collaboration with the Saudi Fund for Development, will offer subsidized loans to member football associations for the construction or renovation of stadiums.

Saudi Arabia is set to host the men’s World Cup for the first time in 2034, marking a historic moment for the nation in the realm of international football.

Furthermore, FIFA has secured a sponsorship deal with the Saudi state oil company, Aramco, for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of this agreement, describing it as “a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.”

In a press release, FIFA stated that the deal “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 the ceremony in Zurich to commemorate the agreement, Infantino remarked, “Developing and building infrastructure is extremely, extremely important. I would like to express 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, 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. We are investing in infrastructure that will unlock human potential, generate jobs, empower young people, and strengthen communities for generations to come.”

Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has been involved in various projects, including funding the LIV Golf initiative and sponsoring high-profile boxing events.

In December 2024, FIFA announced a global broadcasting agreement for the Club World Cup with the streaming service DAZN, shortly before confirming Saudi Arabia as the host for the men’s 2034 World Cup. Speculations regarding a Saudi investment in DAZN, estimated at around $1 billion, were confirmed a few weeks later.

This report incorporates information from The Associated Press.