The Saudis: Coming to a Trans-Border Football Competition Near You

Harry B continues from last week's article about the $1bn Dazn/FIFA deal

Last week, I wrote about the $1 billion DAZN/FIFA TV deal and how, when you followed the money, it led straight to the Saudis. That deal is another step in Saudi Arabia’s relentless push to reshape football, and the implications are massive. Money always talks, but few have spoken as loudly—or as quickly—as the Saudis.

They’ve already transformed football through direct club investments, with Newcastle United serving as the prime example. Now, they’re going beyond individual clubs. They’re buying up broadcasting rights, influencing competitions, and reshaping football’s economic landscape. The big question now is: where does it end? And will UEFA need to invite them into their ecosystem to fend off FIFA or a U.S. hedge fund-backed rival league?

Saudi Arabia’s Football Takeover: The Strategy Unfolds

Saudi Arabia’s football ambitions have evolved in a remarkably short time. Initially, their investments seemed focused on club ownership, primarily through the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which acquired an 80% stake in Newcastle United in 2021. That deal set alarm bells ringing about the increasing Saudi influence in European football.

Then came the lavish spending on the Saudi Pro League. With an influx of star players—Karim Benzema, Neymar, Cristiano Ronaldo, and others—the league positioned itself as a high-profile, albeit controversial, destination for aging superstars. Yet, the Saudi strategy isn’t just about making their domestic league relevant; it’s about controlling the broader football economy.

The DAZN/FIFA deal is a game-changer. With Saudi money backing FIFA’s Club World Cup ambitions, UEFA’s long-standing dominance over elite club football is under threat. If FIFA successfully builds a global club competition with billions in backing, Europe’s elite clubs could be tempted to jump ship, bypassing the UEFA Champions League in favour of a more lucrative alternative.