Emirates flies down to Rio

No, the Dubai-based global airline is not launching a new route; it will be there as an Official Partner of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup kicks off on 2nd November, with the United Arab Emirates facing France in their opening game on 3rd November. The UAE emerged as winners at the Asian continental qualifiers in August 2007, utilising the home advantage to see off Japan 4-3 in the final at Al Mamzar Beach.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said: "It is very exciting for Emirates that within a month of the launch of services to Sao Paulo we are able to be involved in a world class football tournament in Brazil; especially as it is the national sport of the country.

"It is also a great honour for Emirates to be involved in a tournament where our national team, the UAE, could be challenging such great teams as Brazil, France, Mexico, Italy and Argentina, we wish all the teams the best of luck."

Brazil, the host nation and reigning FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup holders, begin their campaign on Friday with a game against the Solomon Islands. Brazil will be in a celebratory mood after being named the host country for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, of which Emirates is an Official Partner.

Following their highly successful involvement in the 2006 FIFA World Cup™, Emirates signed a major deal to become an Official Partner of FIFA until 2014. Emirates enjoys core sponsorship rights to all FIFA competitions, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ and the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, as well as to the world governing body of football's further activities and development initiatives.

Emirates' other involvement in football includes the sponsorship of Arsenal Football Club and the naming rights to the Emirates Stadium, the club's new home. Emirates also sponsors Hamburger SV, Paris Saint Germain and AC Milan.

Emirates now flies non-stop to six continents from Dubai and connects passengers across its network to South America with a six-a-week, non-stop service to Sao Paulo.