Qatar Airways Named Official Airline Partner of FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

Roger Hampel

Photo Credit: FIFA

FIFA has confirmed that Qatar Airways will serve as the Official Airline Partner of the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, strengthening its role in global football sponsorship as the tournament prepares for its first expanded edition in the United States. The announcement further cements the airline’s brand strategy of aligning with the sport’s most high-profile, globally distributed events.

The new agreement positions Qatar Airways alongside FIFA’s top-tier commercial partners, with brand integration across tournament venues, broadcast, and fan engagement activations, and gives the airline official status throughout the month-long competition.

Strategic Expansion into Club Football’s New Global Format

For Qatar Airways, the deal represents a strategic step into FIFA’s club-level competition portfolio, as the Club World Cup prepares to scale from a 7-team event into a 32-club tournament modeled after the FIFA World Cup. The first edition of this reimagined format will take place across 12 U.S. venues from 14 June to 13 July 2025.

Qatar Airways will be visible not only through tournament branding, but also through exclusive experiences for traveling fans, designed to tap into the airline’s network of more than 170 global destinations — including 11 U.S. gateways, a key market for both FIFA and the carrier.

“The new agreement with FIFA underlines what we value most – teaming up with the pinnacle of football to bring fans closer to the action,” said Engr. Badr Mohammed Al Meer, CEO of Qatar Airways Group.“Our presence at this groundbreaking tournament goes beyond branding. We are proud to play our role in uniting players, officials and fans through the power of football and global travel.”

The Airline’s Multi-Club Activation Strategy Qatar Airways FIFA

In addition to its partnership with FIFA, Qatar Airways already has commercial agreements with two Club World Cup participants: Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. Both clubs will compete in the tournament’s first week — in Los Angeles — creating multiple brand alignment opportunities for the airline in team marketing, content creation, and in-stadium visibility.

This multi-pronged approach aligns with a broader trend among top sponsors who activate simultaneously across club, league, and federation levels to maximise exposure and streamline storytelling.

“Their passion for excellence and ability to connect people around the world make them the perfect partner for this incredible new tournament,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.“For the first time, club football will unite the world – and Qatar Airways will be a key partner in making this happen.”

Commercial Implications: Travel, Reach, and Timing

From a business standpoint, the partnership arrives at a time when sports tourism and airline-sports integrations are accelerating post-COVID. Qatar Airways’ positioning in the Club World Cup allows the brand to:

• Align with FIFA’s long-term tournament property through 2030

• Activate in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup

• Capitalize on summer travel demand with football-driven marketing campaigns

• Leverage its growing presence in key U.S. cities (notably New York, Miami, and Los Angeles)

  
  

While financial terms were not disclosed, the scope of this partnership signals a tier-one commitment from Qatar Airways — the kind typically reserved for companies looking to blend premium branding with global reach.