Qatar Airways has been announced as the Official Partner and Official Airline of FIFA as part of a sponsorship package lasting until 2022. 
Upcoming events sponsored by Qatar Airways will include the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017, 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, FIFA Club World Cup, FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the airline said in a press statement on Sunday.
As an Official Partner of FIFA, Qatar Airways will have extensive marketing and branding rights at the next two FIFA World Cups, with an expected audience reach of more than 2bn people per tournament.
The airline will also have visibility at competitions such as the FIFA U-20 World Cup, FIFA Futsal World Cup and FIFA Interactive World Cup, the world’s largest online gaming tournament.
The announcement “builds on Qatar Airways’ sponsorship strategy with major sporting clubs and events around the globe”, the Doha-based carrier stressed.
The strategy includes partnerships with FC Barcelona and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli FC, Formula E races in Paris and New York, and the UCI Road World Championship, most recently held in Doha, alongside long-standing sponsorships of the Qatar Total and ExxonMobil tennis tournaments.
Qatar Airways Group chief executive Akbar al-Baker said, “Qatar Airways understands the power of sport in bringing people together in the spirit of friendly competition. FIFA, as the governing body of the world’s most popular sporting tournament, the FIFA World Cup, embodies the power of football’s popularity, and as such is a natural partner for Qatar Airways. 
“We look forward to celebrating wins with the fans, being inspired by the artistry of the players, and to the excitement of each match over the next two FIFA competition cycles - until the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be proudly held in our home country, the State of Qatar.”
Speaking about the new partnership, FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura said: “FIFA is delighted to partner with the world’s fastest-growing airline, Qatar Airways. Known for introducing industry firsts, Qatar Airways is an ideal partner for FIFA as we prepare for the first ever World Cup in the Gulf region, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. We look forward to working hand in hand with Qatar Airways to promote FIFA competitions and football around the world."
FIFA is an association governed by Swiss law, founded in 1904 and based in Zurich. It has 211 member associations and its goal, enshrined in its statutes, is the constant improvement of football.
Qatar Airways operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with 199 aircraft flying to more than 150 key business and leisure destinations across six continents.
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