Sportsbet.io, the online sports betting brand, has continued its CONIFA partnership into the next decade. The company announced this week it will extend its partnership with the football association of non-recognized states for the CONIFA World Football Cup 2020.

It will be held in Skopje, in the Republic of North Macedonia next summer, coming after the widely-felt successes of the 2019 CONIFA European Cup endeavors. Sportsbet.io first tested this partnership for coverage of the tournament in the Republic of Artsakh in June 2019.

This continued role for Sportsbet.io as the premier sponsor of CONIFA underlines the growing commitment to support sport as a tool for growth and regional cohesion, even for countries who are not officially recognized by FIFA. This includes a range of nations and regions that are represented by de-facto states, minority ethnic groups and isolated territories that receive no FIFA coverage 

The Head of Marketing for Sportsbet.io, Justin Le Broque, spoke of how the company is “proud to continue our sponsorship of CONIFA with next year’s World Football Cup, which embodies everything about our fun, fast and fair approach to the beautiful game”.

Calling last year’s event a “true festival of football”, the aim is for Sportsbet.io to continue increasing the reach of CONIFA to benefit attention to the tournament in 2020, and welcome as many people to the Republic of North Macedonia as they did to Artsakh in 2019.

Speaking of a shared passion for “defying the odds”, Le Broque said “that’s why we can’t wait to welcome the world to Skopje for next year’s tournament.”

There was word from the CONIFA General Secretary Sascha Duerkop, who said: “We are delighted to announce that Skopje will be the location of the next CONIFA Sportsbet.io World Football Cup. It’s a fantastic city with great facilities and we look forward to heading there next summer to watch some fantastic football.” 

The CONIFA Asia President Jens Jockel also discussed how he is delighted to see Skopje being chosen as the host for the finals. He spoke of the “wonderful facilities and will welcome visitors with its world-famous Macedonian hospitality.”

Jockel said “We will look forward to bringing people to the country, and welcoming visitors from around the world to enjoy this fantastic tournament.”

The CONIFA Sportsbet.io World Football Cup 2020 kicks off on May 30 2020 and runs until  June 7. It will feature 16 teams and the draw begins on the weekend of January 24-26 in Jersey at the next CONIFA AGM.

Words: Josh Dixon

Images: PA