On April 25, 2024, FIFA announced that they have solidified their partnership with Saudi Arabia through a sponsorship deal with the kingdom’s state oil company, Aramco. The agreement was expected as Saudi Arabia was chosen in October to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, making the partnership inevitable.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has developed a close relationship with Saudi Arabia and its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman since before the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The bidding process for the 2034 World Cup was unexpectedly opened last October, with only FIFA member federations from Asia and Oceania eligible to compete, essentially paving the way for Saudi Arabia to win.
The sponsorship deal will run through 2027 and will include the men’s World Cup in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as the upcoming Women’s World Cup. While the hosts for the Women’s World Cup have not been decided yet, it is believed that Saudi Arabia will be involved in some capacity. It may also encompass the upcoming 32-team Club World Cup scheduled to be hosted in the U.S. next year.
While there were concerns about human rights violations in Saudi Arabia leading up to the announcement of their bid for
