Saudi Fund for Development and FIFA Launch USD 1 Billion Programme to Finance Sports Infrastructure in Developing Nations.

Roger Hampel

Image: FIFA

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and FIFA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a financing framework of up to USD 1 billion in concessional loans to support the construction and rehabilitation of FIFA-certified stadiums and essential surrounding infrastructure in developing countries. The initiative positions sport — and football in particular — as a tool for national development, economic growth and social inclusion.

The agreement reflects a growing recognition of the economic value of sport worldwide. Independent analyses cited by the parties note that the global sports economy now represents nearly 2% of global GDP, underlining its expanding role in employment, tourism, and community development.

A Development Finance Model Targeting Structural Gaps in Global Football Saudi Fund for Development FIFA

The programme is designed to support FIFA Member Associations in countries where infrastructure gaps limit football development. Many of the 211 MAs lack modern multi-sport venues that meet international standards — a disparity that affects talent pathways, event hosting capability and the broader visibility of the sport.

Through the new mechanism, SFD will provide concessional loans for:

• construction of new stadiums meeting FIFA certification criteria,

• rehabilitation or modernisation of existing venues,

• adjacent infrastructure such as transport, utilities, and community facilities.

The financial structure aims to lower the barriers for governments and sports bodies seeking to invest in public sports infrastructure, with concessional terms significantly below typical market financing costs.

Strategic Motivation: Sport as an Economic Multiplier

The initiative aligns with SFD’s wider development agenda. Over the past five decades, SFD has financed more than 800 development projects across 100 countries, focusing on long-term economic resilience. By elevating sport infrastructure within its portfolio, SFD is positioning football as a driver of:

• job creation and skills development,

• tourism flows tied to events and venues,

• community engagement and youth participation,

• improved public health outcomes,

• and strengthened local economies through ancillary spending.

SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad underscored this perspective, stating that sport “acts as a catalyst for development and inclusion,” and that concessional financing can help countries unlock potential and create long-term community value.

Infrastructure as a Prerequisite for Global Development

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the partnership as a continuation of FIFA’s mandate to develop football worldwide.While development programmes exist under FIFA Forward, many MAs face structural limitations that prevent them from meeting hosting standards or scaling grassroots participation.

Infantino noted that additional infrastructure financing is essential to making football “truly global” and ensuring that emerging nations can host competitions at regional and international levels.