Farhad Moshiri was in attendance as Argentina knocked the Netherlands out of the World Cup on Friday night.
Everton's majority shareholder was at the Lusail Stadium, where he was pictured alongside a prominent Qatar official whose influence extends to being chair of the directors of an international bank led from the country. The image, of Mr Moshiri and Sheikh Dr Khalid bin Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani, was shared on social media by a Qatar-based news organisation, fuelling speculation the pair could be discussing business.
However, it is understood Mr Moshiri's attendance was in a personal capacity and he is expected to be present as England face France on Saturday in order to support Blues keeper Jordan Pickford.
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Mr Moshiri spoke with Sheikh Dr Khalid while at the dramatic quarter-final that saw the Netherlands come from 2-0 down to force the game into extra time before Argentina won on penalties.
Their meeting was later publicised by The Peninsular, a news brand that is part of the Dar Al Sharq publishing group of which he is chairman of the board of directors. He holds the same position with the Qatar International Islamic Bank.
They are just two of the many roles he currently holds according to business websites focused on Qatar, with his interests said to extend beyond banking and publishing and into real estate and IT.
Speculation over whether Everton is for sale has emerged over the past six months amid interest in the club from the US. Questions over the future were also a feature of the open letter written to Mr Moshiri by fan group the 27 Campaign this week.
In the summer, Mr Moshiri denied the club was available in his own open letter to supporters and explained any current or ongoing business talks were centred on the search for financing to complete the club's new waterfront stadium.
The ECHO understands Mr Moshiri's meeting on Friday night was not related to this and his presence at the World Cup extends to viewing up close the operation of new stadiums such as those built specifically for the tournament - and, on Saturday, to support Everton's goalkeeper and potentially Conor Coady, who is also in the England squad.
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