• by Danielle Oster , August 16, 2024

Bank Of America has entered into a sponsorship agreement with FIFA ( Fédération Internationale de Football Association), designating it  the official bank sponsor the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The agreement will make Bank Of America the first global World Cup sponsor in the banking category.

The sponsorship will allow the bank to reach a large global audience, since the World Cup is consistently the most watched sporting event in the world, according to FIFA. Roughly five billion people globally engaged with FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 content across platforms.

The 2026 tournament will feature 48 national teams competing in 104 matches across locations in 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

The deal will include  community outreach and youth programming to promote  the growth and impact of the sport globally, and financial education initiatives. Bank Of America’s regional sports sponsorship investments include the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Major League Baseball, and the Bank of America ROVAL 400 NASCAR event, according to the company’s website.

Last December, Bank Of America also extended its naming rights agreement with the Carolina Panthers for Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, which dated back to 2004. In addition to the Panthers, the stadium is also the home of Major League Soccer’s Charlotte FC, as well as hosting NCAA Football's annual Duke Mayo Bowl.

“Bank of America's commitment to community engagement both domestically and globally aligns with our goals for the tournament and beyond,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement,  “while their support of FIFA on an international basis is a major milestone for our organization.”

"Football connects the world like no other sport,” Bank of America Chair and CEO Brian Moynihan added, referring to the agreement as “a tremendous opportunity.”