Qatari sponsor signs with FIFA in first World Cup deal in two years

FIFA announced that Qatar-based GWC (Gulf Warehousing Company), a leader in supply chain solutions, will be the first Regional Supporter and Official Logistics Provider for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Qatar-based logistics firm GWC will be the key operational supplier for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, the footballing body announced on Monday.

The supplier is the first Qatari sponsor announced by FIFA since the 2018 tournament and the first third-tier regional sponsor, FIFA said in a statement.

GWC, which specialises in transport and logistics for industry sectors including oil and gas, sports events and fine art, was also the National Supporter and Official Logistics Provider for the FIFA Club World Cup 2019, which was held in Qatar.

In a statement, GWC said it “will build on this experience and draw on its robust network of contacts throughout the world to deliver logistics and supply chain services for the FIFA World Cup 2022.”

GWC is FIFA’s 10th 2022 World Cup sponsor.

FIFA’s 2018 World Cup commercial plan saw 20 of the 34 available sponsor slots sold.

“Today marks a landmark achievement in the history of GWC as we are entrusted to deliver the logistical requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2022, and today we become a trusted player in the journey towards 2022, proudly doing our part in actualising another milestone of Qatar’s vision,” said GWC Chairman Sh. Abdulla Al-Thani said.

“We enter this agreement with confidence that we will showcase the world-class sporting and logistics infrastructure that Qatar has developed over the years, while embodying the values of sportsmanship and encouraging active engagement of football enthusiasts and wider audiences.”

FIFA failed to disclose the value of a single-tournament deal for the 2022 edition in Qatar. However, in the previous four-year commercial cycle, the footballing body earned more than $150 million in total from third-tier sponsors, in addition to $80 million more as “value-in-kind” for services received.

“Logistics are critical to an event as large and complex as the FIFA World Cup, so having GWC on board as a Regional Supporter and the Official Logistics Provider for the tournament will provide FIFA and its Commercial Affiliates with crucial support and expertise in logistics and supply chain management, which will ensure a smooth and efficient delivery of the competition,” said Simon Thomas, FIFA’s Chief Commercial Officer.

The FIFA World Cup 2022, which will be held in Qatar, will take place from 21 November until 18 December. The games will be hosted in eight stadiums around Qatar – three of which are already fully operational, with two more scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

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