Tom Hamilton, Senior WriterAug 16, 2024, 8:34am ET
Close • Joined ESPN in 2011
• Covered two Olympic Games, two Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours
• Formerly Rugby Editor, became Senior Writer in 2018
FIFA has signed a sponsorship deal with Bank of America ahead of the 2026 Men's World Cup, becoming the sport's governing body's first global bank sponsor.
It is the first deal since Sepp Blatter was ousted as FIFA president in 2015 amid a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into corruption within FIFA's governing body.
The deal comes after FIFA announced a multi-million dollar partnership with Saudi Arabian company Aramco ahead of this summer's Club World Cup and the 2026 Men's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Editor’s Recommendation
1 Related
FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday welcomed the multimillion-dollar deal with Bank of America, which ESPN sources say is the company's largest sports investment in history, after the U.S. company distanced itself from the organization following a 2015 corruption scandal.
MetLife Stadium has been selected to host the 2026 World Cup final. Al Bello/Getty Images
“We are incredibly excited to have Bank of America as a global sponsor of this groundbreaking FIFA World Cup,” said Infantino.
“Bank of America's commitment to community engagement both domestically and internationally aligns with our goals during the tournament and beyond, and its international support of FIFA marks a major milestone for our organization as we continue to contribute to soccer for the benefit of the entire world.”
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based company was previously the Official Bank of Major League Baseball and acquired the naming rights to the stadium of the NFL's Carolina Panthers in 2004. The naming rights deal was extended last year. Bank of America also sponsors the Chicago Marathon and the Boston Marathon.
