Abu Dhabi Sports Council officially becomes a strategic partner of the Argentine Football Association (AFA)

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) entered into a new strategic cooperation agreement with Abu Dhabi Sports Council, marking a historic event for Argentine football and its relationship with Abu Dhabi.

The Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) is the governing body for sports in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and a fervent promoter of high-profile international events.

After months of joint-work exchanges, ADSC together with the AFA, a long-term agreement has been consolidated. Abu Dhabi will host the Argentine national team preparing camp for the 2022 World Cup, which will include friendly matches in November.

As part of Argentina’s collaboration with the UAE, the SuperCopa Argentina finals will be played for four consecutive years in Abu Dhabi starting from this January 2023 until the year 2026. The Argentine Football Association thus becomes the first federation in Latin America to export a high global impact sporting event to the Middle East region.

For its part, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi in particular, are at the forefront of the sports entertainment industry with high-quality complexes, and with constant dedication to cultural and sports promotion, providing top-level events worldwide.

In relation to this, AFA President, Mr Claudio Tapia, highlighted: "We are very happy to announce this strategic and historic agreement for our institution.

Within the expansion strategy of our football, being able to transfer the Argentine SuperCup to a destination like Abu Dhabi is very meaningful. This agreement will give greater exposure and global visibility to our competition and create new commercial opportunities for the clubs and for our association.

We welcome the Sports Council of Abu Dhabi as a new commercial partner of AFA. We share the passion for football and we will work together to leave a strong legacy footprint in the Abu Dhabi territory".

His Excellency Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of ADSC said: “We are very pleased with the strategic partnership with Argentina Football Association.

“It’s among our top priority to strengthen our already friendly and strong partnership with international sports federations and institutions to create major sporting events that contribute to enhancing Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the global sports scene and to embrace elite teams.

“The Argentine national team is one of the world's pioneering teams that gave produced such legends as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi. “Argentina’s preparation for the World Cup will be closely watched by the global football fraternity and the world media, especially as they are one of the leading teams for the title. They are also the 2021 Copa America champions.”

“We are honoured to host the champions in Abu Dhabi. The Argentine national team has been one of the most popular teams in the last 30 years, having produced legends as Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.

“It is an opportunity for all the fans in the Middle East to come close to their preparation and support them on their way to the World Cup. The Argentina National team is one of the main title candidates for the World Cup.

“We welcome all the Argentine fans to come and enjoy their stay in Abu Dhabi as well as the whole UAE, which will welcome all to live and enjoy in a peaceful and tolerant community.”

Prior to the finalization, the meeting between the two leaders was held in a cordial framework, establishing a mid-term working agenda, from which commenced a long-term strategic cooperation agreement.

On the other hand, the President of the Argentina Football Association and the Genera Secretary-General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council held a fruitful meeting in London to set an agenda and roadmap for working on the phases and programs of the agreement during the next stage.

AFA official site: www.afa.org.ar ADSC official site: https://www.adsc.ae/en/