New York-listed renewable energy company Yingli Green Energy has become the first-ever renewable energy company to be a sponsor of the FIFA World Cup, as well as being the first Chinese company to seal a global sponsorship deal with the football governing body.

"I am extremely pleased that Yingli has chosen to support 20 centres for 2010, the official campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, by providing solar panels and committing to our efforts to create a better environment, as embodied by our ‘Green Goal' concept," said FIFA president Joseph Blatter.

"By joining the list of prestigious FIFA World Cup sponsors, Yingli Green Energy is answering FIFA's call to make the world's most popular sport not only a celebration of the game, but also a sign of respect for the planet that we inhabit," said the company at the sponsorship-signing ceremony hosted in Beijing.

By establishing this alliance with FIFA, Yingli said it was aiming to further its strategic marketing initiatives worldwide, in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup.

"I am very excited to welcome a renewable energy company and the first Chinese company to the FIFA family. We are looking forward to sharing ideas on how to go about making the world greener and cleaner through the love of football," said FIFA secretary general Jérome Valcke.

"This sponsorship links Yingli to the world's most popular and passionately followed sport. We feel privileged to have this opportunity, and look forward to offering our expertise to help FIFA leverage this sport to promote a better, greener environment. This sponsorship also signifies our response to the growing global demand to create a greener world through renewable energy. We are proud of the steps we are taking to make solar power an enduring and cost-effective technology for all humankind," said Yingli CEO Liansheng Miao.

Yingli's sponsorship agreement gives the company global marketing rights, including certain ticket, perimeter-board advertising and media rights, as well as the right to showcase its solar products at the fan zones in the stadiums. It also gives Yingli the right to place its company logo next to the FIFA World Cup official emblem and advertise or promote its products and services at each step of the distribution process. Yingli will have access to extensive on-site opportunities at FIFA World Cup stadiums for marketing and promotion purposes.

Yingli Green Energy holds the brand Yingli Solar, which is one of the world's largest vertically integrated photovoltaic manufacturers.