Federation of International Football Association President Gianni Infantino has urged the global corporate community to invest in football as a strategic economic and social move.
Speaking at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum 2025 in Riyadh, Infantino positioned the FIFA World Cup 2034™ in Saudi Arabia as a defining moment for the sport and a gateway to unparalleled global impact.
Describing football as the world’s most powerful unifier, Infantino said the game holds the attention of more than five billion people — making it a prime vehicle for both financial return and social influence.
“The opportunities are huge,” he said. “We are talking about 104 games in a single month — 104 Super Bowls — watched by a global audience that speaks different languages, practices different religions, and lives across every continent, but shares one passion: football.”
The 2034 World Cup will mark the first time a 48-team tournament is hosted by a single nation.
According to Infantino, it not only reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in global sport but also underscores a broader cultural transformation underway in the Kingdom.
He praised the country’s ongoing efforts to develop football infrastructure and expand access across demographics, including women’s football.
On the economic front, the FIFA President described the game as a “goldmine” that remains largely untapped beyond Europe.
He revealed that the global football industry currently generates an estimated USD 270 billion annually — with Europe accounting for nearly 70% of that figure.
“If other regions, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United States, achieve just 20% of Europe’s football economy, we could unlock more than half a trillion dollars in global GDP impact,” he said.
Infantino also highlighted the rapid rise of women’s football, revealing FIFA’s ambition to generate USD 1 billion in revenue from future editions of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With the tournament set to expand to 48 teams by 2031, he commended Saudi Arabia’s strides in developing a women’s national team and domestic league, framing it as a model of inclusive growth.
Closing his address, Infantino delivered a clear message to the investment community: “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.”
