FIFA renews with Qatar Airways as a sponsor for the men’s World Cup in 2026 and 2030

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FILE - Qatar Airways staff in uniform, in background, assist in the medal ceremony, as French President Emmanuel Macron hugs France
FILE - Qatar Airways staff in uniform, in background, assist in the medal ceremony, as French President Emmanuel Macron hugs France's Kylian Mbappe who was awarded the Golden Boot after the World Cup final soccer match between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar, on Dec. 18, 2022. Qatar Airways will be FIFA’s airline sponsor at the men’s 2026 World Cup being played across North America. Soccer’s governing body renewed with the company through 2030 on Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) PHOTO CREDIT: Associated Press
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Posted By: Associated Press November 22, 2023

ZURICH — Qatar Airways has been renewed as the airline sponsor for the men’s World Cup in 2026 in North America and the 2030 tournament expected to be in Europe, Africa and South America, FIFA said Wednesday.

The state-owned airline initially had a two-tournament deal for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 edition in Qatar.

The World Cup airline slot should next be vacant for the 2034 tournament, which is expected to be hosted by Saudi Arabia. The Saudis plan to launch a second national carrier called Riyadh Air.

The value of the new Qatar Airways deal was not disclosed but is likely worth hundreds of millions of dollars. At World Cup finals, trophy and medal presentation assistants are dressed in the airline’s uniform.

The airline was among seven top-tier men’s World Cup sponsors in the 2019-2022 commercial cycle, which FIFA said earned almost $1.8 billion in total marketing rights sales.

It includes selected FIFA youth tournaments and the 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will have a host chosen in May.

The 2026 World Cup will be the first expanded tournament with 48 teams instead of 32, playing 104 games instead of 64, and sending teams, fans and officials across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The 2030 World Cup is set to include more long-haul travel than originally expected, playing games in six countries on three continents.

FIFA said last month it is working with only one bid — the long-favored Spain-Portugal co-hosting plan that added Morocco this year and now includes South American neighbors Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay hosting one game each as part of a centenary celebration. Uruguay was the inaugural World Cup host in 1930.

The 2030 and 2034 World Cup hosts are due to be formally picked next year.

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