The Concacaf Gold Cup is a biennial international tournament usually featuring teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. But in the 2025 edition, Saudi Arabia are taking part.
Saudi Arabia’s participation in both 2025 and 2027 was confirmed in December 2024, alongside acknowledgment of a plan for collaboration off the pitch.
“We are very pleased that through our relationship with the Asian Football Confederation we have been able to collaborate with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and their president Yasser Al-Misehal, both on and off the pitch,” Concacaf president Victor Montagliani said in the official press release.
“We look forward to welcoming one of Asia’s top men’s national teams to compete with the best in Concacaf.”
Earlier in 2024, Concacaf had announced an investment deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – also owners of Newcastle United, LIV Golf, and a stake in the McLaren Formula 1 team – which will bring an influx of money over multiple years.
Extensive PIF branding is visible in and around stadiums used for Gold Cup matches.
At the time the deal was announced, Montagliani said: “We are very pleased to announce this new strategic partnership which will support the confederation in developing all levels of football across our region.”
It was described as “sportswashing” by Human Rights Watch.
Saudi Arabia sports minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal told BBC Sport in 2023 its unprecedented investment in sport was to help inspire a youthful population to take up physical activity and exercise, open the country up to the international community, boost tourism, create jobs and provide sports federations with growth potential.
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