FIFA has confirmed that Qatar Airways will be its “official
airline” for a host of major tournaments, including the 2018 and 2022 World
Cups, the latter to be hosted by the emirate.
The deal, announced via statements from both organisations,
comes days ahead of FIFA’s annual congress, and just weeks after football’s
corruption-tainted governing body announced a $369 million loss.
“Qatar Airways is an ideal partner for FIFA as we prepare
for the first-ever World Cup in the Gulf region,” said FIFA secretary general
Fatma Samoura.
Qatar Airways boss Akbar al-Baker said FIFA was a “natural
partner” for his airline.
Under the terms of the deal — unlikely to appease FIFA
critics — the Gulf carrier will also sponsor the 2017 Confederations Cup, the
Club World Cup, and the women’s World Cup.
As well as the 2022 World Cup, Qatar is in talks with FIFA
to host the 2021 Club World Cup.
The sponsorship deal, first reported by AFP last month,
comes as FIFA struggles to find new sponsors since corruption scandals which
ousted former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and dozens of other football
officials erupted in 2015.
Sony and the airline Emirates quit as top-level sponsors
after the 2014 World Cup and were not immediately replaced.
The FIFA congress takes place in Bahrain on May 11.
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