India, May 16 -- Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund may have pulled back from golf, but on Thursday, it deepened its investment in soccer by becoming an "official tournament supporter" of the World Cup.

The kingdom's public investment fund (PIF) announced this month that it was pulling the plug on future funding for LIV Golf, raising questions about its long-term plans for other sports after its enormous spending in recent years.

But in announcing the partnership, it said sport was a "priority sector."

The value of the deal, which covers North America and Asia, was not disclosed, but it further strengthens ties between Saudi Arabia and world soccer's governing body.

The oil-rich kingdom has won the rights to host the 2034 edition of...