FIFA signed another Chinese sponsor for the World Cup on Wednesday, agreeing to a deal with smartphone and software maker Vivo.

The announcement further links FIFA with China, which is likely to mount a bid for the 2030 World Cup despite current rules effectively blocking another Asian bid before the 2034 edition.

The six-year Vivo contract for a second-tier sponsorship runs through the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, FIFA said. The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Vivo becomes the third World Cup sponsor signed from China since FIFA President Gianni Infantino took office 15 months ago.

Wanda, a property and cinema conglomerate, signed as a top-tier sponsor through 2030. Consumer electronics firm Hisense committed only through the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

For now, China is helping fund FIFA while traditionally strong markets in North America and Western Europe have steered away from the scandal-hit soccer body.

(SD-Agencies)