Abu Dhabi Airports Company has become the latest global brand to partner with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) after agreeing an exciting new deal to support the AFC's national teams and club competitions.

The agreement was formally signed by H E Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the AFC President, and Abu Dhabi Airports Company Chairman, H E Ali Majed Al Mansoori, at an official ceremony at Al Bateen Executive Airport in the United Arab Emirates capital today.

Abu Dhabi Airports Company will now be the official sponsor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup - Asian Qualifiers, Final Round and will be a partner at other national team competitions including the Asian Cup 2019, to be held in the United Arab Emirates, as well as the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.

Shaikh Salman said: "The Asian Football Confederation is pleased to welcome Abu Dhabi Airports Company as an official sponsor for our national team and club competitions. The AFC competitions are growing rapidly in terms of audiences, excitement and fixtures. More people are watching live in stadia and on television than ever before.

"For global brands such as Abu Dhabi Airports Company, the AFC competitions provide an opportunity to promote - and share - the game's strength and popularity in Asia. In the AFC Vision and Mission, we set the target of engaging with more and more fans to reinforce our position as the number one sport in Asia. This sort of cooperation helps with that objective. We look forward to a fruitful and mutually beneficial partnership with Abu Dhabi Airports Company."

Abu Dhabi Airports Company Chairman, H E Ali Majed Al Mansoori, added: "Abu Dhabi Airports' sponsorship of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) will enhance our growing international profile as a world-class global travel hub, connecting the vibrant nations of Asia with the rest of the world, via our home in Abu Dhabi, while supporting the increasing popularity of football in Asia. We look forward to working with the AFC and the benefits that this new partnership will bring to both entities."