January 19 – The AFC has confirmed Visa will join its Official Global Supporter roster for both the Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and the U23 Asian Cup (currently underway), extending the payments giant’s long-standing commercial relationship with Asian football.
The agreement sees Visa align with two of the AFC’s flagship men’s national team competitions, both of which will be staged in the Middle East – this time in Saudi Arabia.
The partnership will focus on driving ‘fan engagement, commercial innovation and tournament delivery’, with Visa pushing to position itself at the centre of both matchday and digital experiences spanning the events.
“Visa has been an exceptional partner of the AFC and Asian football, and we are delighted to strengthen our existing ties and work in close partnership with them to create more lasting memories of the Asian game for our passionate fans across the Continent and beyond,” said AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John.
Visa will activate a wide range of fan-facing initiatives during the tournaments, including branded coin toss ceremonies at selected matches, player escort programmes involving young supporters, and digital content such as the “Top Goals of the Matchday” series, allowing fans across Asia to vote on standout moments.
The company will also deliver bespoke hospitality and access opportunities for clients and partners.
Ali Bailoun, senior vice president and group country manager for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman at Visa, pointed to the broader role of football in the region.
“Football unites people, nations, and economies,” he said. “As the game continues to thrive across Saudi Arabia, Visa is proud to support this growth by enabling secure commerce and world-class fan experiences through our trusted global network.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at [email protected]
