Qatar Airways recently announced their official partnership with the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) as Official Airline Partner, adding another strong sporting partnership to the airline’s expanding portfolio.

The agreement was signed in Doha recently at a ceremony attended by Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar Al Baker, CONMEBOL Secretary General José Manuel Astigarraga, and Qatar Football Association Board Member Ahmed Al Buainain.

The multi-year agreement will provide Qatar Airways with maximum exposure in South America, while strengthening the airline’s global sponsorship portfolio. As part of the agreement, Qatar Airways will be the sponsor of CONMEBOL’s professional football club competitions across South America for the next four and a half years, with immediate effect through 2022, including the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores, South America’s most prestigious football competition, and the Copa CONMEBOL Sudamericana and the CONMEBOL Recopa. The agreement was negotiated on behalf of CONMEBOL by FC Diez Media, the joint venture between IMG and Perform Group, set up exclusively to service the confederation.

CONMEBOL is the continental governing body of football in South America and is one of FIFA’s six continental confederations. The entity is responsible for the organisation and governance of South American football major international tournaments. Described as the ‘toughest qualifiers in the world’, CONMEBOL national teams have won nine FIFA World Cups, and CONMEBOL clubs have won 22 Intercontinental Cups and four FIFA Club World Cups.

Al Baker said they are thrilled to partner with CONMEBOL.

We are continually striving to boost our global sporting sponsorship portfolio, and this partnership is just one more example of our dedication to the sports sector. We are also excited to further expand our presence in South America, and look forward to supporting the forthcoming CONMEBOL football competitions.’

CONMEBOL President Alejandro Domínguez, said they are proud to embark on this journey with Qatar Airways, and to drive football development in South America.

CONMEBOL’s competitions have a rich heritage and offer some of the world’s most exciting and competitive professional football. Thanks to recent improvements, our tournaments are also among the world’s fastest growing. Naturally, we’re delighted to partner with Qatar Airways, the world’s fastest growing airline.’

Qatar Airways, the first-ever airline partner for CONMEBOL’s club competitions, will leverage high brand association and large audience visibility at all 260 matches in year-long competitions across the South American continent. The airline will also be the presenting and sole partner for the Recopa Sudamericana, the home and away fixture between the champions of CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana.

For updates and more information about Qatar Airways, visit qatarairways.com