The PIF deal includes the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 tournament.
Published May 14, 2026
Saudi Arabia is deepening its relationship with international football in preparation for hosting the tournament in 2034, with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) named as the official tournament supporter in North America and Asia for this year’s World Cup.
The 2026 World Cup, the first global show featuring 48 teams, will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19.
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PIF and FIFA said the partnership includes support for initiatives around the world spanning grassroots programmes, youth and women’s football, education projects and efforts to strengthen infrastructure and technical expertise.
Financial details and specific activities have not been disclosed.
The agreement builds on PIF’s partnership with FIFA for the 2025 Club World Cup and underlines the foundation’s deepening commercial relationship with world football ahead of Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the 2034 World Cup.
“PIF continues to accelerate the growth of soccer globally by expanding access to the game and creating opportunities that benefit players, fans and the wider soccer ecosystem,” Mohamed Al-Sayyad, PIF’s head of corporate brand, said in a statement.
PIF, which has spent more than $5 billion on LIV Golf since its launch in 2022, announced last month that funding would be cut at the end of the 2026 season, leaving exit circuits to compete for new backers.
The sovereign wealth fund, chaired by Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed, is also involved in several other sports.
In a statement announcing the reduction in funding to LIV Golf, PIF added that it remains committed to deploying the funds internationally in line with its investment strategy, which “includes current and future investments in a variety of sports as priority areas.”
Saudi Arabia, who parted ways with coach Herve Renard last month, will begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against Uruguay on June 15.
They finished Group H against Spain and their first appearance against Cape Verde.
