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President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino (R), alongside Saudi officials

FIFA revealed a significant new collaboration with Saudi Arabia on Monday, introducing a stadium funding program valued at as much as $1 billion to aid infrastructure growth in affiliated nations.

The deal, made with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), will provide discounted loans to football associations aiming to construct or enhance stadium infrastructure.

The step strengthens the global football organization’s increasing financial connections with Saudi Arabia, which will host the men’s FIFA World Cup for the first time in 2034.

The realm has progressively extended its reach within international sports, involving significant funding in golf, boxing, and worldwide media outlets.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino referred to the financial initiative as “a vital move in guaranteeing that our FIFA Member Associations possess the necessary facilities to make football genuinely global,” and during a ceremony in Zurich, he emphasized that infrastructure development is key to the sport’s expansion. He publicly acknowledged the SFD for facilitating the collaboration.

As per FIFA, the program demonstrates a mutual dedication to assist underdeveloped countries in enhancing their sports environments and promoting wider social and economic development.

Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, the head of the Saudi Fund for Development, mentioned that the partnership combines FIFA’s technical knowledge with Saudi Arabia’s expertise in development finance.

We have faith in the ability of sports to transform lives,” he stated. “We are funding facilities that will unleash human potential, generate employment, inspire young people, and assist communities for many years to come.

The newest investment occurs alongside several prominent Saudi initiatives in international sports. The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) has supported the LIV Golf tournament and organized significant boxing events, while the state-owned oil company Aramco has recently become a sponsor for the 2026 World Cup.

By the end of 2024, FIFA completed a global streaming deal for the Club World Cup with DAZN—only a few days prior to announcing Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup.

A report stating that Saudi Arabia invested approximately $1 billion in DAZN was verified several weeks later, underscoring the country’s growing involvement in global sports and media.

The post FIFA Agrees to a $1 Billion Stadium Development Fund Supported by Saudi Arabia for Its Member Countries appeared first on DailyGuide Network.

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