Qatar Airways has been announced as an official sponsor of Wednesday's friendly between Spain and Uruguay in the Qatari capital of Doha, reports SportsPro. Contractual terms of the agreement were not released, however the airline's investment has been key to bringing reigning European and world champions Spain and current South American champions Uruguay to Doha's Khalifa Stadium.
Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways has a strong affiliation with football with the carrier being the official airline of the country's national football team.
"Our sponsorship of the Spain vs. Uruguay match reinforces the airline's passion for this exciting sport and there is much more planned linking Qatar with the football world as Qatar gears up for the 2022 Fifa World Cup."
The one-off match agreement is part of an aggressive global growth strategy at the airline's parent company Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which has invested heavily in sports such as soccer, golf, tennis and cycling in recent months.
A record five-year, US$220 million sponsorship agreement with FC Barcelona will see the Qatar Airways logo adorn the shirts of the Catalan giants from next season.
