Fifa and Saudi fund back sports infrastructure in developing nations | OneFootball

FIFA and the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide up to 1 billion dollars in concessional loans aimed at the construction and renovation of stadiums and sports infrastructure in developing countries.

The agreement stipulates that the resources should be primarily directed to nations with lower investment capacity and their respective FIFA Member Associations. The goal is to expand the availability of sports facilities, modernize existing structures, and reduce the disparity between countries with international standard arenas and those that still lack adequate equipment.

“FIFA's role is to develop football globally, and many of our Member Associations need additional support for the infrastructure required to host competitions. Through this memorandum of understanding with the Saudi Fund for Development, up to 1 billion dollars will be available in concessional loans to finance the construction and enhancement of FIFA-certified stadiums. This agreement is a crucial step to ensure that our Member Associations have the necessary facilities to make football truly global,” said Gianni Infantino, president of the world football governing body.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Gianni Infantino – FIFA President (@gianni_infantino)

According to independent estimates, the sports sector accounts for about 2% of the global GDP, with a direct impact on job creation, tourism, and community development. Currently, there are 211 FIFA Member Associations, many of which face structural limitations that hinder the hosting of official competitions and the expansion of sports practice.

Technical and Financial Support

The plan involves technical and financial support to national governments to design and build multipurpose facilities aligned with international standards. The expectation is that the new equipment will help boost local economies, create jobs, and provide safe spaces for sports and community activities.

The funded projects should integrate long-term actions aimed at strengthening local capacity and the sustainability of operations. The loans will also serve as seed capital to attract development institutions, private partners, and regional organizations, with the intention of multiplying investments.

The SFD states that the initiative is part of its strategy to expand investments in social infrastructure. The fund has already financed more than 800 development projects in about 100 countries over five decades, totaling more than 22 billion dollars.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.