The four-year agreement, the amount of which has not been communicated, allows the public company of Saudi Arabia, the only candidate to organize the 2034 World Cup, to become a partner of Fifa “with rights covering several events” including the Men's World Cup in 2026, in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the Women's World Cup in 2027.
The powerful Gulf monarchy, rich in its oil but often singled out for its violations of human rights and its environmental record, invests billions of dollars in world sport (golf, football, boxing, rallying, F1, tennis… ) for several years. A strategy which is part of the policy of influence led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as part of the vast “Vision 2030” project aimed at transforming the kingdom into a country of business and tourism and reducing its dependence on oil revenues.
“This partnership will help FIFA successfully deliver its flagship competitions over the next four years and, like all our other commercial agreements, it will allow us to further support our 211 member associations around the world,” said Gianni Infantino, the president of the International Federation.
A 2034 World Cup in summer or winter? Saudi Arabia says it is ready “to face all possibilities”
