Manchester City and Netherlands forward, Vivianne Miedema, alongside over 100 women’s footballers, is urging Fifa to terminate their partnership with Saudi national oil company Aramco. Fifa had revealed a sponsorship deal with Aramco last year, where the oil giant would sponsor the men’s Club World Cup next summer, followed by the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027. However, a coalition of professional players from more than 24 countries has signed a letter requesting Fifa to reconsider the agreement, accusing football’s governing body of going against its own commitments to human rights and the environment.
Aramco has also secured sponsorship deals with women’s professional golf and Formula 1, and is a partner of the International Cricket Council. Discussions were held on a potential commercial alliance between Fifa and Visit Saudi ahead of the Women’s World Cup last year, but they were abandoned after several prominent players, including Miedema, expressed discomfort with the arrangement due to human rights issues prevalent in Saudi Arabia. The rights of women are restricted in Saudi Arabia, and same-sex relationships are illegal in the nation. Moreover, Aramco has faced criticism for being one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters globally.
Apart from Miedema, England international Niamh Charles, Scotland international Lisa Evans, Canada captain Jessie Fleming, and former United States captain Becky Sauerbrunn have also endorsed the letter, published by the group Athletes of the World. Miedema highlighted to the BBC, “I think as footballers, and especially as women’s footballers, we carry the responsibility to show the world and the next generation what is right. I think this sponsorship is not right for what Fifa stands for, but also what we as women footballers stand for.” She emphasised that Fifa should align with sponsorships that set a positive example, given their stated commitments to inclusivity and setting an example in the game.
Fifa has mentioned that commercial revenues are reinvested in the development of the women’s game and has stated that Aramco is an “inclusive organisation with many commercial partners also supporting other organisations in football and other sports.”