Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has been announced as an official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on Thursday, 5 June.
The month-long tournament is set to take place in the United States from 14 June to 13 July 2025. The tournament will feature 32 of the world’s top clubs, including champions from all six FIFA confederations, across 11 cities and 12 stadiums in the US. It will be the first edition of the Club World Cup to follow the expanded format, promising increased competition and global attention.
PIF’s partnership with FIFA is the latest in a series of sports investments by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, reflecting the Kingdom’s growing ambitions in global football.
Last year, PIF partnered with CONCACAF, the football governing body for North and Central America and the Caribbean, marking its entry into regional football development. These efforts come as Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, positioning itself as a major player in the sport’s global landscape.
“PIF is creating a legacy of transformative impact in sports, delivering positive and lasting results at every level, from players and fans to host communities,” said Mohammed AlSayyad, Head of Corporate Brand at PIF.
FIFA’s Chief Business Officer Romy Gai welcomed the partnership, noting that the support of global partners like PIF is “integral to the success” of the tournament and the broader development of club football.
The tournament begins with the group stage, where the 32 participating clubs will be divided into groups. Each team will play several matches within their group, earning points for wins and draws.
The top teams from each group will then move on to the knockout rounds, starting on 28 June. In this stage, teams face off in single-elimination matches,meaning the losing team is immediately out of the tournament.
The competition will conclude with the final on 13 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the winning club will be crowned world champion.
Among the teams set to compete are Inter Miami, featuring football star Lionel Messi, and Egypt’s Al Ahly SC, one of Africa’s most decorated clubs.
PIF’s growing involvement in global sports aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to reduce the Kingdom’s dependence on oil by investing in entertainment, tourism, and sports. In recent years, the fund has acquired stakes in major football clubs, launched LIV Golf in competition with the PGA Tour, and sponsored events in Formula 1 and boxing.
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