Global soccer governing body FIFA has strengthened its ties with the government of Saudi Arabia through a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed to enhance soccer infrastructure in the country.
Signed with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), which is part of the Saudi government, the MoU will see the pair collaborate to issue as much as $1 billion in concessional loans (loans at favorable rates when compared to the open market) for the construction of new facilities in FIFA member nations.
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This is particularly aimed at the construction of stadia and other related infrastructure in developing nations in order to help them to host FIFA-sanctioned events and enhance their hosting capabilities for other sporting tournaments also.
Gianni Infantino, the FIFA president, said: “FIFA's role is to develop football worldwide, and many of our FIFA Member Associations need additional support for the infrastructure necessary to host competitions.
“Through this memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development, up to USD 1 billion will be made available via concessional loans to finance the construction and enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums. This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global.”
This agreement further entrenches Saudi Arabia’s ties with FIFA.
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By GlobalDataThe 2034 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the Kingdom, while earlier in 2025, the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) partnered with FIFA to support the 2025 Club World Cup.
Prior to that, the global media rights to the Club World Cup were bought by streaming service DAZN in December for a reported fee of $1 billion, after which the PIF’s SURJ Sports Investment arm purchased a stake in the OTT streaming service, also for $1 billion.
In April 2024, meanwhile, Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco partnered with FIFA to cover the 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups.
FIFA has also just agreed an expanded partnership with digital consultancy and software firm Globant, which will now serve as a ‘tournament supporter’ for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Globant, which has been a FIFA partner since 2022, will continue to work to innovate the body’s digital presence, including the provision of a new mobile app, and enhancements on its existing digital platforms, with the aim of supporting the provision of major FIFA events.
Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary general, said: “This new agreement between FIFA and Globant reflects each organisation's vision to reimagine how football is experienced in the digital era, while preserving the emotion, community and global reach that bring the game to every corner of the world.
“We look forward to continuing our cooperation with Globant as we build digital services that make our tournaments even more engaging and enjoyable for fans."
Globant will also support the youth-category FIFA U-20 World Cup 2027, and the FIFA e Finals 2025 of esports.
