FIFA Bolsters Saudi Arabia Connections with PIF's Inclusion in Club World Cup Sponsors List
Revamped Football Festivities: Fifa's Swagger with Saudi Arabia
Crank up the excitement, folks! Fifa's tying the knot with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), securing a long-term commercial partnership that's set to redefine the Club World Cup experience. This partnership, announced in June, is all about juicing up the Club World Cup starting from this very month.
PIF, shedding some global brand-weight alongside bigwigs like Visa, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, Hisense, Lenovo, Budweiser, and Qatar Airways, comes aboard as the eighth sponsor of the revamped tournament.
But it's not all about sponsorship—youth and grassroots development is on the menu, too, according to Fifa. That said, the details of this particular aspect appear to be kept under wraps, for now.
"Cue the enthusiasm!" announced Fifa's chief business officer Romy Gai, "We're thrilled to welcome PIF as a partner for the Fifa Club World Cup 2025. Expect epic drama unfolding that'll captivate fans worldwide!"
The tournament's partners are bullish on Fifa's vision of making football a truly global phenomenon. They stand firm behind Fifa's ambition to propel club football to new heights, embracing the role their support plays in accomplishing this goal.
This partnership follows Fifa's awarding of the 2034 men's World Cup hosting rights to Saudi Arabia and Gianni Infantino's recent Middle East expedition alongside US President Donald Trump. Additionally, another Saudi state investment arm, Surj, nabbed a minority stake in broadcaster Dazn earlier this year—the same broadcaster that nabbed the global rights to the Club World Cup.
PIF's footprints extend beyond the Club World Cup. It's been pouring money into other sports, backing the LIV Golf Tour and making hefty investments in both men's and women's tennis. PIF's Head of Corporate Brand, Mohammed AlSayyad, beamed, "PIF's making a splash in sports, transforming lives at every level—players, fans, and communities. We're footloose in growing the football scene worldwide."
The Club World Cup, expanded to a major summer event held every four years, is due to kick off in the US next week. Manchester City, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and a motley crew of global teams are set to square off. Strap in, it's gonna be one wild ride!
The revamped Football Festivities, featuring the Club World Cup, will see a surge of excitement with PIF's involvement, as they join forces with top brands like Visa and Coca-Cola to redefine the sports event. With football at the forefront, PIF aims to transform lives at every level, both locally and globally.
