Roger Hampel
In a monumental development for the sports and energy sectors, Aramco, a global leader in integrated energy and chemicals, has announced a significant four-year global partnership with FIFA, the governing body of world football. This strategic alliance positions Aramco as FIFA’s Major Worldwide Partner, exclusive in the energy category, highlighting an exciting future for both entities leading up to and including the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™.
Pioneering a Sustainable Future in Sports
The collaboration between Aramco and FIFA is set against a backdrop of shared commitments to innovation, sustainable development, and impactful social initiatives. It is a partnership that not only underscores FIFA’s mission to globalize football but also leverages Aramco’s commitment to community engagement and technological advancement.
Aramco’s President & CEO, Amin H. Nasser, emphasizes the partnership’s potential, stating, "Through this partnership with FIFA we aim to contribute to football development and harness the power of sport to make an impact around the globe." This statement reflects a broader vision of using sport as a platform for promoting global community vitality and growth.
Expanding Horizons: Beyond Energy Aramco FIFA
Aramco’s involvement in sports is not new, but this partnership with FIFA is a notable expansion of its existing sports portfolio, which includes support for the Saudi football team Al-Qadsiah, women’s golf through the Aramco Team Series, and educational initiatives like F1 in Schools. These engagements exemplify Aramco's strategy to harness the universal appeal of sports to foster development and create opportunities at the grassroots level.
Driving Innovation in Football
Looking ahead, Aramco plans to bring its innovative prowess to the football world, identifying opportunities to deploy its technologies and expertise in enhancing FIFA’s event delivery globally. This includes developing new ways for fans to engage with the games and enhancing the overall spectator experience through innovative technologies.
A Win for Global Football
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, welcomed Aramco into FIFA’s circle of elite global partners, noting, "This partnership will assist FIFA to successfully deliver its flagship tournaments over the next four years." He further highlighted the importance of such commercial agreements in enabling FIFA to provide enhanced support to its 211 member associations worldwide.
Conclusion
The partnership between Aramco and FIFA marks a significant milestone in the intersection of sports, business, and technology. By combining Aramco's history of championing innovation with FIFA's expansive reach in the world of football, this alliance is poised to deliver substantial benefits, not just for both organizations but for communities worldwide. As this partnership unfolds, it will undoubtedly set a precedent for how global corporations can collaborate with international sports entities to achieve mutual goals in sustainability, innovation, and global sports development.
Source: Aramco and FIFA