Saudi's Soccer Gambit: A World Cup Partnership with a Complicated Past The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia has been named an official supporter of this year's FIFA World Cup, underscoring the country's growing influence in international football.
This partnership is significant, given Saudi Arabia's troubled history in the sport.
In 2025, PIF partnered with FIFA to host the Club World Cup, a move seen as an attempt by Saudi Arabia to buy credibility on the global stage.