Women Players Urge FIFA to End Aramco Deal

Over 100 professional women's soccer players from 24 countries have called on FIFA to terminate its sponsorship agreement with Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company, Aramco. The players criticize the partnership as contradictory to FIFA's commitments to human rights and environmental sustainability, citing Saudi Arabia's human rights violations, particularly against women and the LGBTQ+ community. The sponsorship agreement, which runs until 2027, includes the 2026 Men's World Cup and the 2027 Women's World Cup. Players argue that the deal undermines the sport's values of equality and inclusion and propose a review committee with player representation for future sponsorships. FIFA, however, maintains that the sponsorship revenues are reinvested into the women's game. Aramco has not yet responded to the criticism.