Women's Footballers Demand FIFA to Reconsider Saudi Aramco Sponsorship

An open letter signed by over 100 professional women's footballers, led by notable athletes including Vivianne Miedema, urges FIFA to terminate its sponsorship agreement with Saudi Aramco, calling for more ethical corporate partnerships aligned with values of equality and human rights.

More than 100 professional women footballers are urging FIFA to end its sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian oil company, Aramco, which they describe as a "punch in the stomach" to the sport. The partnership, announced earlier this year, is set to run until 2027 and gives Aramco the rights to sponsor both the men's World Cup in 2026 and the Women's World Cup in 2027.

The players hail from 24 different countries and have raised concerns on humanitarian and environmental grounds. Among the signatories is Manchester City striker Vivianne Miedema, who stated that as footballers, particularly in women's football, it is their duty to represent the right values. "This sponsorship does not align with what FIFA stands for, nor what we as women footballers stand for," she expressed.

FIFA maintains that its partnership with Aramco is valuable, emphasizing that the sponsorship revenues will be reinvested into women’s football at all levels. Critics argue that the deal contradicts FIFA's stated commitment to inclusiveness in the game.

The controversy surrounding the sponsorship stems from Saudi Arabia's questionable human rights record, including discrimination against women and LGBTQ+ individuals, in addition to its reputation for "sportswashing"—the practice of improving a nation's image through hosting international sporting events. The independent think tank Carbon Tracker has pointed out that Aramco is "the world's largest corporate greenhouse gas emitter."

Players opposing the deal boast more than 2,300 international caps, including well-known figures like England defender Niamh Charles and the captains of national teams from Canada and Italy. They are supported by the organization Athletes of the World, which advocates for climate change and social issues. Danish international Sofie Junge Pedersen explained that the sponsorship is "worse than an own goal" and emphasized that women's football deserves better from FIFA.

Both Miedema and Pedersen suggest that FIFA should seek alternative sponsors who operate with values that endorse gender equality and human rights, even at the expense of financial gain. They also proposed the establishment of a player representation committee to influence future sponsorship decisions. Miedema noted that if Aramco remains affiliated with the 2027 Women’s World Cup, it might provoke stronger actions from players, highlighting recent boycotts seen in women's teams that have spoken out against injustices.

In response to athletes' calls for greater inclusion in sponsorship decisions, FIFA mentioned earlier this May that it is working on establishing various committees for women's football. As of now, the organization is committed to the partnership with Aramco, citing ongoing investments aimed at the development of women's football globally, referencing the increased support during the most recent FIFA Women’s World Cup.