Betting Companies Make Their Presence Felt in Financing Clubs for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Elias Delali
Data related to the clubs participating in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup reveal that one-third of the teams affiliated with the tournament have direct sponsorship agreements with sports betting companies. This notable presence of these companies reflects their deep entrenchment in the financial framework of modern football, to the extent that they have become one of its essential economic pillars.
This situation confirms that the economic stakes surrounding global football are no longer reliant solely on broadcasting revenues or ticket sales; they have become increasingly tied to sectors that are not without controversy, with the betting industry gradually extending its influence over the playing field.
The connections established by clubs surpass traditional sponsorship agreements, including partnerships with Gulf airlines or major telecommunications firms. These deals often carry political and strategic dimensions, as seen with certain European and Asian clubs. Conversely, other teams are engaged in direct financial contracts with companies owned or led by the clubs’ own officials, such as Tunisian club Esperance, Italian club Juventus, and South African club Sundowns.
These insights provide a clear indication that while global football remains anchored in the excitement of the game, it thrives and endures thanks to the massive investments being funneled by betting firms into clubs. Sponsorship agreements have become a prerequisite for financial sustainability at the highest levels of competition.
