FIFA has announced a major new partnership with the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), securing up to $1bn (£762mln) in financing to support the construction and renovation of football facilities worldwide.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed on Monday, the SFD will offer discounted loans for stadiums and multi-sport venues, with developing nations receiving priority access. Fifa said the initiative aims to help national governments design, finance and build modern infrastructure capable of hosting international competitions.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the funding would provide crucial support for member associations struggling to meet infrastructure requirements. «This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA member associations have the facilities to make football truly global,» he said.
The deal marks another expansion of FIFA’s fast-growing ties with Saudi Arabia. The kingdom is set to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, while state-owned Aramco became a major worldwide FIFA partner last year. The Saudi Public Investment Fund also sponsored the 2025 Club World Cup and has invested heavily in global sports media.
FIFA, a not-for-profit organisation, said the partnership complements its existing Forward programme, noting that stadium development requires a significantly larger scale of investment. For the SFD, the agreement signals a shift toward including sports infrastructure in its development agenda, traditionally focused on energy and public works.
