PIF named official partner of 2026 FIFA Club World Cup in US
Saudi Arabia’s global sports footprint continues to grow with the recent announcement that the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed on as an official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2026, the tournament’s first expanded edition featuring 32 clubs. The deal deepens Saudi influence in global football and ties in with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to align its investment with international visibility ahead of its bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
PIF joins global sponsor roster for landmark tournament
FIFA confirmed PIF’s involvement as an official partner in a June announcement, placing the fund alongside global sponsors such as Adidas, Coca Cola, Qatar Airways, Visa and Wanda Group. As a partner, PIF will support efforts to broaden the tournament’s global reach and drive engagement across new markets.
The announcement was made as part of a wider commercial rollout ahead of the tournament, with FIFA’s Chief Business Officer Romy Gai calling the partnership “a key moment in advancing football’s future.” PIF also outlined its aim to support initiatives linked to youth participation, grassroots development and technological innovation.
Club World Cup expands to 32 teams for the first time
The 2026 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup will be the first to feature 32 teams, marking a major expansion in format and scale. Set to run from 14 June to 13 July across 12 stadiums in 11 US cities.
The expanded format mirrors the structure of a national World Cup, part of FIFA’s push to raise the profile of top-tier club football on a global stage.
Hosting the inaugural expanded edition in the US is also seen as a strategic move to boost commercial reach and viewership ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the US will co-host.
Focus on youth development and global fan engagement
PIF’s backing of the Club World Cup ties into its wider push to support projects with long-term social and economic value. The fund pointed to goals like boosting youth participation, building grassroots sport, and using digital tools to create new fan experiences.
FIFA called the partnership a chance to drive more inclusive growth across the football world. It also aligns with Gulf-wide efforts to use sport as a platform for cultural exchange and economic diversification.
The partnership also supports several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including those linked to health, education, and community development through sport.
Part of broader Vision 2030 sports investment agenda
PIF’s deal with FIFA is the latest in a growing list of high-profile sports investments aimed at putting Saudi Arabia on the global stage. The fund owns Premier League club Newcastle United, helped launch LIV Golf, and has signed commercial deals with Concacaf and a number of esports ventures.
The country has also submitted a formal bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, underlining its long-term focus on football. The Club World Cup partnership fits into Vision 2030 goals, with sport being seen a platform for broader transformation and economic growth.
Implications for regional and global market access
Major partnerships like this show how sport is becoming a gateway to broader market access across the Gulf. For investors, media firms and rights holders, Saudi Arabia’s growing sports economy offers new ways to engage with one of the region’s fastest-changing sectors, whether through commercial deals, content platforms or event-linked infrastructure.
The Club World Cup adds momentum to a shift already underway, where sport is increasingly tied to tourism, tech, and wider economic development. For companies looking to enter or expand in the region, it offers a clear signal of where long-term opportunities may emerge.
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