Fifa president Gianni Infantino has been building closer and closer ties with Saudi Arabia in recent years. Photo: Jorge Saenz / AP / NTB
Of NTB | 25.04.2024 18:44:16
Sport: The four-year agreement will see Saudi Aramco become a Fifa partner in tournaments such as the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
An amount is not known, but according to the AP news agency, it is the largest agreement Fifa has entered into with a sponsor if you calculate the annual value.
The agreement has been expected since last autumn. Saudi Arabia was then confirmed as the host country for the men’s football World Cup in 2034.
– This partnership will help Fifa to successfully run its flagship tournaments, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino in a statement.
The oil state of Saudi Arabia has pumped billions into sports around the world such as golf, football, motorsport and martial arts.
Sport is one of the focus areas in what the regime calls “Vision 2030”, an economic plan that will build new industries and create jobs. For a number of years, Saudi Arabia has been criticized for violating human rights and has been accused of engaging in sports laundering.
State-owned Aramco owns the team Al-Qadsiah, which leads level two in the domestic league, and is building a stadium in the city of Dammam where matches will be played in the Asian Cup in three years’ time. Probably also in the WC in 2034.
– Through this partnership with Fifa, we aim to contribute to football development and utilize the power of sport to make a difference all over the world, says Aramco president Amin H. Nasser.
(© NTB)