Saudi Aramco, a state-owned fossil fuel company, has signed a four-year global partnership deal with FIFA. This news has raised concerns from Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, who highlighted the irony of a Saudi Arabian company sponsoring the Women’s World Cup while women like Salma al-Shehab and Manahel al-Otaibi are imprisoned in the Kingdom for advocating gender equality.
Furthermore, with Saudi Arabia currently being the sole bidder to host the 2034 men’s World Cup, Amnesty International has warned that human rights violations could impact world football for years to come. The organization urged FIFA to make binding agreements with Saudi Arabia to protect people from exploitation, discrimination, and repression before finalizing any hosting agreements. Recent cases, such as the sentencing of 12 football fans from the country’s Shia minority for singing folkloric chants, underscore the need for action.
Amnesty International has also cautioned against using income from Aramco to finance or cover up human rights abuses. The organization called on Saudi Arabia to support the transition to renewable energy and emphasized the importance of phasing out the fossil fuel industry to prevent further climate harms. As one of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers, Aramco posted record profits last year.
Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in sports globally through government ownership and sovereign wealth fund stakes in companies like Aramco. This ownership makes it a significant source of income and influence for the Kingdom. The 2026 men’s World Cup will be hosted in Canada, Mexico and USA while the location of 2027 Women’s World Cup is yet to be determined.
