FIFA Partners with Saudi Arabia for Stadium Financing to Boost Global Football Development

On Monday, FIFA announced a significant partnership with Saudi Arabia, introducing a program that will provide up to $1 billion in Saudi-backed loans for the development and renovation of stadiums in various countries.

The Saudi Fund for Development, in collaboration with FIFA, will offer these subsidized loans to member football associations tasked with enhancing their infrastructures.

This agreement comes ahead of Saudi Arabia’s first-time hosting of the Men’s World Cup in 2034.

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

FIFA President Gianni Infantino characterized the agreement as a pivotal step towards ensuring that FIFA Member Associations have the necessary facilities to promote football on a global scale. He 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.”

In a press release, FIFA emphasized that this deal reflects a mutual commitment to assist developing nations in enhancing their sports ecosystems, which is part of broader efforts to foster social and economic progress.

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

Furthermore, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has previously invested in the LIV Golf project and has been active in sponsoring and hosting major boxing events.

In December 2024, FIFA announced a global broadcasting partnership with the streaming service DAZN for the Club World Cup, just days before confirming Saudi Arabia as the host for the Men’s 2034 World Cup. Shortly after, reports surfaced regarding a prospective $1 billion Saudi investment in DAZN, which was confirmed a few weeks later.