The Club World Cup begins this weekend. Much has been made about the cozy relationship between FIFA and Saudi Arabia, but the full extent of Saudi entanglement in the 2025 FIFA CWC is staggering.
What follows is a detailed exposé of how Saudi Arabia’s wealth and influence have permeated nearly every facet of this expanded tournament. The tone is not accusatory of crimes per se, but the facts speak loudly: Saudi involvement is systemic, overt, and impossible to ignore. Each point is evidence-driven, highlighting a distinct connection that, taken together, shows how Saudi Arabia effectively “bought” a central role in the CWC’s present and future.
1. A Saudi-Owned Club Is Competing on the Global Stage
Al-Hilal, one of Asia’s most successful clubs, will represent Saudi Arabia in the 32-team CWC – and crucially, it is majority-owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF). In 2023, PIF acquired 75% stakes in Al-Hilal and three other top Saudi clubs as part of a nationwide “privatization” drive. This means a club effectively controlled by the Saudi state is now vying for the title of world champion. This is unprecedented in FIFA history: the government’s sovereign wealth fund isn’t just backing a team, it owns one of the contenders.
2. PIF Is an Official Sponsor of the 2025 CWC
Saudi Arabia’s PIF hasn’t stopped at club ownership – it has also signed on as a top-tier commercial partner of the CWC itself. On 5th June 2025, FIFA announced PIF as an official partner of the tournament in the United States The deal’s value wasn’t disclosed, but its significance was clear: one of world football’s biggest new events is financially underwritten in part by the Saudi sovereign fund. FIFA’s own press release touted that the partnership “expands PIF’s global footprint in sports” and reflects a “shared commitment with FIFA to fuel growth and engagement in football”. In plainer terms, Saudi money is helping pay for the show – with FIFA happily welcoming the infusion of cash.
