FIFA deepened its ties to Saudi Arabia by confirming a sponsorship on Thursday with the kingdom’s state oil firm Aramco which made a profit of $121 billion last year. The deal was expected and became inevitable once Saudi Arabia was all but sealed last October as the 2034 host of the men’s World Cup.

World soccer governing body FIFA has signed a partnership with oil and gas conglomerate Saudi Aramco that will run through to the end of 2027, it said in a statement on Thursday.

Fifa has announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company, Aramco. The deal is in place until 2027, giving Aramco sponsorship rights for the men's World Cup in 2026 and the Women's World Cup the following year.

Energy company comes on board as major sponsor while Saudi Arabia remains the only bidder for the 2034 World Cup.

Saudi Arabia's state oil giant Aramco and world football governing body FIFA on Thursday announced a major sponsorship agreement until the end of 2027. "Through this partnership with FIFA we aim to contribute to football development and harness the power of sport to make an impact around the globe,