FIFA and the 2034 World Cup host, Saudi Arabia, have announced a plan to distribute up to $1 billion in concessional loans aimed at supporting sports infrastructure in developing nations. The initiative, formalized through a memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF), will finance the construction or enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums and essential surrounding infrastructure, particularly focusing on member associations in the global south. Specific terms of the loans have not yet been disclosed.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized that the program is part of FIFA’s mission to develop football worldwide and ensure that all member associations have the facilities needed to host competitions. The $1 billion support builds on FIFA’s existing forward development programs, which have already distributed $2.8 billion in the 2016–2022 cycle, providing $8 million per member association and including a $1.5 billion COVID-19 relief plan in grants and loans.
The initiative also aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy of sports diplomacy, as the country continues to increase its global influence ahead of hosting the 2034 World Cup. Through various memoranda of understanding signed with football associations worldwide, Saudi Arabia has steadily expanded its engagement in international sports. The SDF, traditionally focused on development projects outside of sports, is now extending its financial support to football infrastructure.
The announcement has drawn criticism from NGOs, including Fossil Free Football, which argue that Saudi Arabia is using football as a tool of soft power to improve its international reputation while maintaining dependence on fossil fuels. Critics warn that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to sustain global demand for Saudi oil and potentially slow the transition to renewable energy, framing the loans as a politically motivated move rather than purely a developmental effort.
