The Saudi Arabian Oil Group, Aramco, has entered into a partnership deal with international football governing body, FIFA, to sponsor the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
The partnership deal, which is a four-year agreement, will see the oil giant becoming FIFA’s Major Worldwide Partner exclusively in the energy category.
Arbiterz understands that the new partnership deal is not Aramco’s first international sponsorship for recreation, as the Arabian company has existing sponsorship agreements within Formula 1 as well as being a standing partner of the International Cricket Council.
Amin H. Nasser, Aramco’s President & CEO, said the company’s ambition was to advance football development and utilize sports’ power to effect global change.
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“This partnership reflects Aramco’s commitment to nurturing vibrant communities and supporting sports as a catalyst for growth,” he said.
Scheduled to extend until the culmination of 2027, this collaboration signifies a shared dedication to innovation and development, merging football’s unparalleled global influence with Aramco’s legacy of championing innovation and community involvement.
Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s President, noted the pivotal role the partnership would play in successfully hosting FIFA’s flagship tournaments over the next four years.
He said, “This collaboration not only enhances support for FIFA’s 211 member associations worldwide but also underscores Aramco’s focus on developing grassroots sports initiatives.”
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Operating as a state-owned company, the Saudi company was founded 1933, and has grown to become the world’s largest oil producer.
According to industry data, obtained by this correspondent from Companies Market Cap, the oil company as of April 2024 has a market cap of $1.942 Trillion, becoming the world’s 5th most valuable company by market cap.
