HIBAPRESS
The Public Investment Fund and the International Federation of Football (FIFA) today announced the appointment of the Public Investment Fund as an official supporter in Asia and North America for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to promote the spread of football at all levels, from participation at the grassroots levels to professional competitions, and to create new opportunities to practice and participate in sports.
The new partnership also includes two companies of the Public Investment Fund, namely the Savvy Games Group, the leading Saudi company locally and internationally in the field of games and electronic sports, and Qiddiya City, the future capital of entertainment, sports and culture. The Fund and its subsidiaries aim to provide an exceptional experience alongside leading innovative initiatives aimed at enhancing public participation and communicating with football fans at the international level.
The FIFA World Cup 2026™, hosted by 3 countries, is historically the largest, with the participation of 48 national teams representing all continents, bringing together football fans from around the world.
Commenting on the new partnership, Romy Gai, FIFA's Chief Business Officer, said: "We are pleased to have the Public Investment Fund join as an official supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, and together we look forward to delivering a historic tournament that inspires and unites fans from all over the world."
He added: "The partnership with the Public Investment Fund will contribute to the growth of football globally by providing new opportunities, promoting innovation, and engaging young people, ensuring millions of young people around the world have opportunities to practice and enjoy football."
For his part, Mohammed Al-Sayyad, Director of the Corporate Identity Department at the Public Investment Fund, said: "The Public Investment Fund continues to strengthen and expand its global presence in the sports field, with a focus on football as a main axis. This partnership is based on the cooperation between the Fund and the International Federation of Football (FIFA), during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ which was held last year, in addition to our work with the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) with the aim of achieving a sustainable impact."
He added: "The Public Investment Fund continues its efforts to drive the growth of football around the world, by enhancing participation in sports, and providing more opportunities for players, fans, and the entire football ecosystem."
Football is a key element in the transformation that the Kingdom is witnessing on various levels, especially since it is hosting the FIFA World Cup 2034™. This enhances the Kingdom's ambition to drive the development of the game locally and globally and create opportunities whose positive impact extends to the Kingdom and the world for many generations to come. The partnership aims to transfer expertise and knowledge from the International Federation of Football (FIFA), to contribute to building the capacities of Saudi youth, which enhances the growth of sports and shapes its future.
The partnership is in line with the Public Investment Fund's ongoing commitment to the sports sector within the "Tourism, Travel and Entertainment" system, one of the economic systems within the 2026-2030 strategy recently announced by the Fund.
The role of the International Federation of Football (FIFA) is to develop and develop the sport of football in all member associations, numbering 211 associations. This partnership will support the International Federation of Football (FIFA), to continue to provide a variety of initiatives, including grassroots development programs, youth initiatives, women's football, education initiatives, and projects that work to enhance infrastructure and raise the level of technical expertise around the world.
