On Thursday, FIFA officially announced a lucrative sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia’s state oil company Aramco. This agreement was widely anticipated after the kingdom was selected as the host for the 2034 men’s World Cup last October.
The deal, which extends through 2027, encompasses multiple major FIFA tournaments, including the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The hosts for the Women’s World Cup will be determined next month.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has developed a strong rapport with Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since well before the 2018 World Cup. Notably, the 2034 bidding process was tailored in a way that appeared to heavily favor Saudi Arabia. By the end of October, Saudi Arabia emerged as the sole candidate for the 2034 hosting rights.
In addition to being a major partner of FIFA, Saudi Arabia has been accused of using sports to whitewash its human rights record and silence dissenting voices within its own country. However, FIFA has defended its partnership with Aramco saying that it is in line with their shared commitment to promoting global football development.