BY Issah Olegor
World football governing body FIFA has announced a major global infrastructure initiative valued at USD 1 billion, aimed at upgrading stadiums and sporting facilities in developing countries.
The project, backed by the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), marks one of the most ambitious collaborations in FIFA’s recent history and serves as the latest indicator of Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sports.
The initiative is being introduced at a time when many developing football nations continue to grapple with deteriorating stadiums, limited infrastructure financing, and safety concerns that have hindered the growth of domestic leagues.
For decades, FIFA member associations—particularly in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America—have struggled to secure funding to build or refurbish modern stadiums that meet international standards.
In a joint statement released on Monday, FIFA and the Saudi Fund for Development announced that the partnership will provide subsidized loans to football associations solely for the construction or renovation of stadiums.
The loans are expected to ease one of the biggest challenges faced by poorer football associations: accessing long-term, affordable financing for infrastructural development.
FIFA described the partnership as one grounded in a “shared commitment to strengthening sports ecosystems” across developing nations, noting that improved facilities would boost not only football but also broader social and economic growth.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, speaking during the announcement ceremony in Zurich, emphasized the global importance of the deal.
“Developing and building infrastructure is extremely, extremely important,” Infantino said.
“This agreement is a crucial step in ensuring our FIFA Member Associations have the facilities to make football truly global. I thank the Saudi Fund for Development, its CEO, and the entire team for making this partnership possible.”
From the Saudi side, Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the SFD, highlighted the project’s role in long-term community development.
“We at SFD believe in the power of sports to change lives,” he noted. “We are combining our strengths—SFD’s development finance and FIFA’s technical expertise—not only to build venues but to create lasting legacies. We are investing in infrastructure that will unlock human potential, generate jobs, empower young people, and strengthen communities for generations.”
This collaboration deepens an already fast-growing relationship between FIFA and Saudi Arabia.
In recent years, the oil-rich Gulf nation has emerged as a major force in global sports through strategic investments, sports hosting rights, and international partnerships. Saudi Arabia was recently confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, a milestone event expected to further boost its global sporting profile.
Additionally, Aramco, the Saudi state-owned oil giant, was recently announced as a sponsor for the 2026 World Cup.
