Aramco, Saudi oil firm, to sponsor both men’s and women’s World Cups in partnership with Fifa

Fifa Announces Partnership with Saudi Aramco, Sparking Controversy

In a groundbreaking move, Fifa has revealed a new partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, Aramco. The deal, set to last until 2027, grants Aramco sponsorship rights for the upcoming men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup the following year. This collaboration marks another step in Saudi Arabia’s increasing influence on the global sports stage.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino praised Aramco’s commitment to supporting world-class events and grassroots sports initiatives. However, critics have accused Saudi Arabia of using high-profile sporting events to improve its international reputation, a practice known as ‘sportswashing’.

The sponsorship deal with Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer, has raised concerns about Fifa’s environmental impact. In 2023, a Swiss regulator revealed that Fifa had made false claims about the reduced environmental impact of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Following the announcement of the partnership, campaign group Fossil Free Football criticized Fifa for aligning with a major polluter. Greenpeace also condemned the move, calling it an “own goal” for Fifa and a blatant example of ‘sportswashing’.

Despite Aramco’s claims of having a low carbon footprint, independent think tank Carbon Tracker has labeled the company as the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitter. The controversy surrounding the partnership has sparked a debate about the ethics of associating with big polluters in the world of sports.

As Fifa prepares to announce the hosts of the upcoming tournaments, the decision to partner with Aramco has ignited a firestorm of criticism and calls for greater accountability in the sports sponsorship landscape.