FIFA President Gianni Infantino Calls for Global Investment in Football
At the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025, FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a compelling case for the global corporate community to invest in football, branding it as both a strategic economic opportunity and a powerful social force.
Infantino highlighted the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2034™, set to be hosted in Saudi Arabia, as a pivotal moment for the sport and a potential catalyst for significant global impact. He emphasized that football captivates over five billion people worldwide, making it an ideal platform for financial returns and social influence.
“The opportunities are huge,” Infantino stated. “We are talking about 104 games in a single month—104 Super Bowls—watched by a diverse global audience united by one passion: football.”
This tournament will mark the first instance of a single nation hosting a 48-team World Cup, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s growing prominence in the global sports arena. Infantino praised the Kingdom’s efforts in developing football infrastructure and expanding access to the sport, particularly for women, noting the establishment of a women’s national team and domestic league.
On the economic front, he described football as a “goldmine” with vast untapped potential outside Europe, which currently accounts for nearly 70% of the global football industry’s estimated annual revenue of USD 270 billion. Infantino projected that if regions like Saudi Arabia and the United States could achieve just 20% of Europe’s football economy, it could unlock over half a trillion dollars in global GDP impact.
His remarks also touched on the rapid growth of women’s football, with FIFA aiming to generate USD 1 billion in revenue from future editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is set to expand to 48 teams by 2031.
Closing his address, Infantino delivered a clear message to potential investors: “Football is not just a game—it is a platform for connection, transformation, and growth. Invest in football; it’s the best investment you can make.”
