The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia has accepted a role in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a move that comes just weeks after the organisation announced it was cutting its funding for the LIV Golf tour.
The World Cup is set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with 48 teams competing for the coveted title. The involvement of Saudi Arabia's PIF has sparked further controversy, given the country's recent decision to cut its funding for LIV Golf.
LIV Golf, a rival golf tour to the PGA Tour, has been heavily backed by Saudi Arabia's PIF, with the organisation providing significant financial support to the tour. However, in a surprise move, the PIF announced it was cutting its funding for LIV Golf just weeks ago.
The move has left many in the sports world wondering what the implications of Saudi Arabia's PIF taking on a role in the 2026 World Cup will be. With the country's human rights record under scrutiny, the involvement of Saudi Arabia in international sports has become increasingly contentious.
When questioned about the decision, a spokesperson for FIFA stated that the organisation welcomes investment from a variety of sources, but declined to comment further on the specifics of Saudi Arabia's PIF's involvement.