5 of the World's Most Valuable Football Clubs Backed by Arab Investors

Arab investment continues to reshape the global football landscape, with investors from Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt playing a major role in building some of the world's most valuable clubs.

According to Forbes US' World's Most Valuable Soccer Teams 2026 rankings, five clubs backed by Arab investors now hold a combined valuation of nearly $15 billion, highlighting the growing financial influence of Middle Eastern capital across international sport.

Forbes calculates club values using enterprise value (equity plus net debt), alongside historical transactions and future league and club economics. European club valuations reflect the 2024-25 season, while MLS clubs are based on the 2025 regular season.

Here's a closer look at the Arab-backed clubs featured on the list.

Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Investor Country: Qatar 🇶🇦

Investor: Qatar Sports Investments (QSI)

• Forbes Ranking: #5
• Club Value: $5.8 billion
• Annual Growth: +26%
• League: French Ligue 1

Paris Saint-Germain remains the highest-ranked Arab-backed football club after being acquired by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) in 2011.

Led by Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, QSI transformed PSG into one of football's strongest commercial brands through major player signings, global partnerships, and international marketing. The club reached another milestone by winning its first-ever UEFA Champions League title in 2025, adding to its dominance in French football.

Manchester City (England)

Investor Country: United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪

Investor: City Football Group (Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan)

• Forbes Ranking: #7
• Club Value: $5.5 billion
• Annual Growth: +4%
• League: English Premier League

Manchester City's remarkable rise has been driven by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who acquired the club in 2008.

Since then, the club has become one of football's biggest success stories, winning multiple Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola while expanding its global commercial presence. Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has overseen the club's continued growth into one of the world's leading football brands.

Aston Villa (England)

Investor Country: Egypt 🇪🇬

Investor: Nassef Sawiris (V Sports)

• Forbes Ranking: #16
• Club Value: $1.4 billion
• Annual Growth: +56%
• League: English Premier League

Egyptian billionaire Nassef Sawiris has co-owned Aston Villa since 2018 through V Sports, alongside American businessman Wes Edens.

Under the new ownership, Aston Villa has strengthened both on and off the pitch, returning to European competition while investing heavily in club infrastructure. The club added another major trophy by winning the UEFA Europa League in 2026.

Newcastle United (England)

Investor Country: Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦

Investor: Public Investment Fund (PIF)

• Forbes Ranking: #19
• Club Value: $1.25 billion
• Annual Growth: +14%
• League: English Premier League

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) became Newcastle United's majority owner in 2021 as part of a consortium that acquired the club.

Backed by one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds, Newcastle has strengthened its squad, returned to the UEFA Champions League, and significantly improved its commercial outlook. PIF currently manages assets exceeding $900 billion, supporting investments across multiple global industries, including sport.

New York City FC (United States)

Investor Country: United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪

Investor: City Football Group (Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan)

• Forbes Ranking: #21
• Club Value: $1.02 billion
• Annual Growth: +17%
• League: Major League Soccer (MLS)

New York City FC is also owned by City Football Group, making it part of Sheikh Mansour's global football network.

Since entering MLS in 2015, NYCFC has won the MLS Cup and continued expanding its commercial footprint. The club is also preparing to open its first dedicated soccer stadium in New York in 2027.

City Football Group now owns or operates 12 football clubs across five continents, making it one of the largest football ownership groups in the world.

Arab Investment Continues to Shape Global Football

From Qatar and the UAE to Saudi Arabia and Egypt, Arab investors are playing an increasingly important role in global football. Their investments extend beyond player transfers, supporting stadium development, commercial expansion, infrastructure, youth academies, and long-term club growth.

According to the latest Forbes rankings, these five Arab-backed clubs alone are worth almost $15 billion, reflecting the region's growing influence in one of the world's biggest sporting industries.

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