Hundreds of professional women’s soccer players have signed a letter calling for FIFA to end a sponsorship deal with a Saudi oil company. In April, FIFA signed a sponsorship deal with Aramco. That oil company has 98.5% state ownership, meaning the government of Saudi Arabia owns the company. In a way, it is FIFA entering a sponsorship deal with the country of Saudi Arabia, the nation that is hosting the 2034 World Cup. The deal with Aramco exists for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. It also extends through the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Kyle Fansler is an Editor at World Soccer Talk. He specializes in sports journalism, with a focus on soccer, European football, and major events like the Copa America and World Cup, as well as the business and broadcasting aspects of sports. Kyle's insights and analysis have been featured in NewsBreak and World Soccer Talk.