106 professional women’s soccer players have signed anencouraging FIFA, the sport’s governing body, to end its partnership with Saudi Aramco, a Saudi-Government-owned oil conglomerate. Aramco is the world’s largest oil company. According to players, the Aramco sponsorship does not reflect their values.
Aramco Sponsorship
In April, FIFA announced Aramco as a “major worldwide partner”. The sponsorship is set to last until the end of 2027, meaning Aramco will be a major sponsor of the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2027 women’s World Cup.
This week, more than 100 players signed a letter protesting the announcement because of Saudi Arabia’s human rights policies. Saudi Arabia holds a 98.5% ownership stake in the company.
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In the letter, players urged FIFA to “reconsider this partnership and replace Saudi Aramco with alternative sponsors whose values align with gender equality, human rights and the safe future of our planet.”
What they said
The letter read: “The Saudi authorities trample not only on the rights of women but on the freedom of all other citizens too. Imagine LGBTQ+ players, many of whom are heroes of our sport, being expected to promote Saudi Aramco during the 2027, the national oil company of a regime that criminalises the relationships that they are in and the values they stand for?”
FIFA responded: “Sponsorship revenues generated by FIFA are reinvested back into the game at all levels and investment in women’s football continues to increase”.
