Saudi Arabia adds new soccer investment during 2034 World Cup bid by sponsoring African competition
GENEVA (AP) — Saudi Arabia added to its fast-rising investment in global soccer amid a 2034 World Cup hosting bid when its tourist board was confirmed Thursday as the main sponsor of the inaugural African Football League and the next Asian Cup.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) said “Visit Saudi” will sponsor the eight-team knockout competition running from Oct. 20-Nov. 11 with “openness to extending this collaboration for future editions.”
The value of the African deal was not disclosed. The league is expected to pay much less than the $100 million prize money promised last year by CAF when a planned 24-team event was launched.
The sponsorship comes in the same week the Saudi Arabian soccer federation filed its intention with FIFA to bid to host the men’s 2034 World Cup. FIFA set an Oct. 31 deadline for expressions of interest and a formal bidding agreement must follow by Nov. 30.
Saudi soccer officials have claimed support already from more than 70 of the 211 FIFA member federations which will elect the 2034 host at a meeting expected late next year. Africa has 54 members of FIFA.
CAF and the Saudi soccer federation signed a five-year working agreement this year that included playing the African Super Cup game in the oil-rich kingdom last month.
Later Thursday, the Asian Football Confederation said the Saudi tourist board was a global sponsor partner of the Asian Cup being hosted by Qatar and other continental events next year. The 24-team Asian Cup that includes the Saudis and defending champion Qatar kicks off Jan. 12.
“Visit Saudi” also was a third-tier sponsor of the men’s 2022 World Cup in a deal FIFA did not announce before the tournament started in Qatar.
A similar deal planned for the 2023 Women’s World Cup was shelved after the soccer federations of co-host nations Australia and New Zealand objected. They told FIFA that although “some important and positive gender equality reforms have commenced in Saudi Arabia, it remains undeniable under any reasonable standard that the rights of women remain severely restricted.”
Australia is a possible candidate for the 2034 World Cup in a bid that could include New Zealand or fellow Asian Football Confederation members such as Indonesia.
Saudi soccer stated its intent around the turn of the year when the Al-Nassr club signed Cristiano Ronaldo to start a slew of star recruitment from European clubs.
Al-Nassr was among four storied Saudi clubs effectively nationalized in June by the Public Investment Fund that estimates its sovereign wealth assets at $700 billion.
The PIF, which is behind the LIV golf project, is chaired by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
