ZURICH/RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will be an official partner of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, which gets underway in the US later this month.

The partnership was described in a joint statement by FIFA and PIF as evidence of the two sides’ “shared vision to enable greater participation in sports by unlocking new opportunities, fostering innovation and engaging fans around the world.”

PIF’s Head of Corporate Brand Mohammed Al-Sayyad said: “PIF is creating a legacy of transformative impact in sports including through its partnerships, delivering positive and lasting results at every level, from players and fans to host communities.”

The deal with FIFA comes after the sovereign wealth fund last year announced a partnership deal with CONCACAF, football’s governing body for the Americas and Caribbean.

Saudi Arabia was also earlier named as the host of the FIFA World Cup in 2034.

Talking about the club tournament, Romy Gai, FIFA’s chief business officer, said: “Together, we look forward to delivering a historic tournament that inspires and unites fans from around the world.”

Speaking of the partners for the event, which runs from June 14 to July 13, he said: “Their support of the tournament will not only be integral to its success but will underpin investment in supporting the development of club football everywhere.”

This year marks a new chapter for the tournament, with 32 teams taking part, up from just seven in previous events. A total of 63 matches will be held across 11 cities, with the final set to take place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

All of the games will be livestreamed for free on DAZN.com. More information about ticket options is available from FIFA.com/tickets.