The Qatar Football Association (QFA) has signed a partnership with AspireInfront to market the sponsorship and international media rights of the Qatar men’s national football team qualifiers and friendlies.

The agreement for the Doha-based venture will start on June 1, 2015.

Qatar’s opponents for the second qualification round of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and the preliminary round of the AFC Asian Cup 2019 will be China, Maldives, Bhutan and Hong Kong.

The new agreement covers the distribution of worldwide media rights across all platforms and territories on an exclusive basis (except for the domestic territory of Qatar where the rights are non-exclusive). The marketing rights cover stadium advertising opportunities. In addition, match sponsors will be provided with a hospitality contingent and further promotional rights.

Hamad al-Kuwari, director of Marketing and communications at QFA, said: “Whilst strongly focused on the development of our national team, we are always looking for new ways to share the team’s progress and raise media awareness of Qatar’s great and challenging football journey. Partnering with AspireInfront gives us extra potential and leverages our efforts to market Qatar football and to help spread its popularity globally. At the same time, the company’s domestic roots mean that it understands our country’s sports culture and the significant role that the national football team holds.”

AspireInfront managing director Thomas Lessenich added: “After the successful marketing of the 2014 TIM Italian Super Cup between Juventus and Napoli in Doha last December through the Infront Group, we are pleased to be entrusted with the most prestigious domestic football property in the country. We thank the Qatar Football Association for its confidence in our ability to add value through dedicated marketing competence and sales strength.”

Original Title on Gulf Time:QFA signs marketing partnership agreement with AspireInfront