Bank of America announced on Tuesday that it has renewed its partnership with FIFA, becoming a sponsor for the upcoming Club World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States. Notably, the tournament is less than six months away and still lacks broadcast agreements.
Having become FIFA’s first global banking partner in August, Bank of America has now secured a separate deal for this event, just two days before the group-stage draw in Miami for the revamped 32-team tournament. The competition will feature top European clubs, including recent champions Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Chelsea.
“FIFA is going to take America by storm, and we’re going to be right at their side,” said David Tyrie, the bank’s head of marketing, in a telephone interview.
Bank of America joins other sponsors of the 2026 World Cup, including Hisense and AB InBev, in supporting the Club World Cup, with more sponsorship deals anticipated following Saudi Arabia’s confirmation as the host for the 2034 World Cup.
While the next World Cup, co-hosted by Canada and Mexico, is expected to attract hundreds of millions of viewers globally—primarily through free-to-air networks—the broadcast landscape for the Club World Cup remains unclear. FIFA has promised substantial prize money for the participating clubs but has yet to announce any broadcast agreements for the month-long tournament, which is likely to be available on a streaming platform.
“You have to think about how you are going to connect with these fans,” Tyrie stated from Boston. “TV is one avenue, but social media is also significant. The smart marketing approach involves shifting focus from traditional TV marketing to social media engagement. We have a solid strategy in place for activation.”
Tyrie emphasized the importance of engaging Bank of America’s customers and its 250,000 employees as part of this strategy. “It’s about creating excitement for our clients and our employees,” he added.
The Club World Cup will take place in 12 stadiums across 11 cities, including Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lumen Field in Seattle, where the local Sounders will host three group-stage matches.
The tournament will feature a strong European contingent, with teams qualified through continental titles or consistent performance over the past four years. An exception is Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami, which received a host nation spot based on its regular-season record, without waiting for the MLS Cup final. The LA Galaxy will face the New York Red Bulls in that final on Saturday.
Inter Miami will kick off the tournament on June 15 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, playing all three of its group matches in Florida.
Tyrie acknowledged the impact of high-profile players on the event’s appeal, stating, “The more brand players you bring in, the bigger the following you have. However, Messi’s involvement is not a make-or-break factor for the event.”
The Club World Cup final is scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium near New York, which will also host the World Cup final the following year.
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