The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and The Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) have recently announced a multi-year partnership aimed at supporting the development of football at all levels in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. This partnership will focus on enhancing men’s, women’s, and youth national team and club competitions within the CONCACAF confederations, as well as providing access to the sport for children and youth across the region. The timing of this partnership coincides with major football tournaments set to take place in the region in the coming years, including the CONCACAF Champions Cup, the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
With inclusivity and youth as key pillars of its sponsorship platform, PIF’s partnership with CONCACAF will support efforts to increase the number of official youth tournaments offered by the confederation in the future. This will create additional opportunities for emerging talents in the region, particularly through competitions such as the CONCACAF under-15, under-17, and under-20 championships for both men and women. Additionally, the under-17 and under-20 competitions will serve as qualification tournaments for the FIFA U17 and U20 World Cups respectively. This partnership aligns with PIF’s focus on investing in initiatives that embrace its sponsorship pillars of inclusion, sustainability, youth, and technology.
Victor Montagliani, CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice President, expressed excitement about the strategic partnership with PIF, noting the rapid growth of interest in football within the confederation. He emphasized the importance of engaging with football at this pivotal time, especially with major tournaments on the horizon, culminating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by CONCACAF member associations Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Montagliani highlighted the joint efforts to create initiatives that will have a positive and lasting impact across all CONCACAF competitions, underscoring PIF’s commitment to investing in sports.
Mohammed Al Sayyad, PIF’s Chief Brand Officer, echoed Montagliani’s sentiments, emphasizing the commitment to developing initiatives that will benefit CONCACAF competitions and initiatives. The partnership will also enhance existing CONCACAF programs, such as “The Bigger Game,” which utilizes the popularity of football to deliver sports and educational programs in local communities. This collaboration underscores PIF’s continued expansion of inspiring sponsorships in various sports domains, with a focus on investing in projects and initiatives that align with its core values.
Overall, the PIF-CONCACAF partnership signals a significant step towards advancing the growth and development of football in the North America, Central America, and Caribbean region. By supporting youth tournaments and national team competitions, as well as enhancing existing initiatives, this partnership aims to create a lasting impact that will benefit the sport and its participants for years to come. With a shared commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, youth, and technology, PIF and CONCACAF are poised to work together to elevate football within the region and beyond.
