FIFA Partners with Saudi Arabia for Stadium Financing Initiative

omidbasir- On Monday, FIFA announced a significant partnership with the Saudi Fund for Development, agreeing to provide up to $1 billion in stadium-financing loans aimed at supporting developing countries. This initiative is designed to assist member football associations in constructing or renovating stadiums.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the men’s World Cup for the first time in 2034, this collaboration marks a pivotal moment for the nation’s involvement in global sports.

In addition to this financing initiative, FIFA has secured a sponsorship deal with Aramco, the state oil company of Saudi Arabia, for the 2026 World Cup.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the agreement as “a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.” In a news release, FIFA emphasized that the deal reflects a mutual commitment to bolster the sports ecosystems of developing nations, aligning with broader goals of advancing social and economic progress.

During the official ceremony in Zurich to commemorate this partnership, Infantino stated, “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 facilitating this partnership.”

Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development, expressed his belief in the transformative power of sports, stating, “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 aims to unlock human potential, generate jobs, empower young people, and strengthen communities for generations to come.”

In addition to its involvement with FIFA, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has also been a financial backer of the LIV Golf project and has sponsored high-profile boxing events.

Furthermore, FIFA recently announced a global broadcasting agreement with the streaming service DAZN for the Club World Cup, scheduled for December 2024, just two days before confirming Saudi Arabia’s role as the host of the 2034 Men’s World Cup. Reports of a substantial Saudi investment of approximately $1 billion in DAZN emerged shortly after.