In soccer, all roads suddenly lead to Saudi Arabia.

FIFA, the world governing body, is facing three major decisions in the coming weeks and months, and Saudi Arabia, long a bit player among soccer’s ruling classes, is positioning itself as one of the most powerful influencers in each of them.

Foremost is the vote on the host of the 2026 World Cup. There is also a proposal to expand the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams. Finally, FIFA has to decide how to proceed in ongoing negotiations with investors who are offering as much as $25 billion for two new soccer tournaments that could reshape both club and international competition. Saudi Arabia is among the biggest investors in the consortium that has offered the potential windfall to FIFA.

Leaders of the North American bid for the 2026 World Cup, including Carlos Cordeiro, the president of U.S. Soccer, traveled to Saudi Arabia recently to make a pitch to leaders of a dozen national federations after Saudi Arabia created a new regional bloc — the South West Asian Football Federation. If the group continues with Saudi Arabia at its helm, the Saudis could potentially control more than simply their own vote on the important matters facing FIFA.

Officials from 10 mainly South Asian and Arab countries posed for a picture to announce the formation of the group, which will be based in Jeddah and led by Adel Ezzat, the head of soccer in Saudi Arabia. Its honorary president is Turki al-Sheikh, the kingdom’s top sports official and a close associate of the 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.