FIFA World Cup: FIFA announces collaboration with Saudi oil giant Aramco.

FIFA has recently announced a collaboration with Aramco, the state-owned oil company of Saudi Arabia.

This partnership extends until 2027 and grants Aramco sponsorship rights for both the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup the following year.

Aramco already holds existing sponsorship agreements in Formula 1 and is a partner of the International Cricket Council.

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FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed gratitude for Aramco’s support of world-class events and their commitment to developing grassroots sport initiatives.

This collaboration further cements Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports arena. However, critics accuse Saudi Arabia of using sport and high-profile events to bolster its international reputation, a practice known as ‘sportswashing’.

The country has faced criticism for various issues, including human rights violations, the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, women’s rights abuses, the criminalization of homosexuality, restrictions on free speech, and involvement in the Yemeni conflict.

The environmental impact of FIFA, the world governing body, has come under scrutiny with the recent sponsorship deal involving Aramco, the largest global oil producer.

The decision to host the 2030 World Cup across six countries on three continents has drawn criticism from environmental groups. However, FIFA has assured that it will take necessary measures to minimize environmental consequences.

In June 2023, a Swiss regulator accused FIFA of making false claims regarding the reduced environmental impact of the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.

In response to the FIFA-Aramco deal, Fossil Free Football, a campaign group, expressed concerns about Saudi Aramco and the Saudi state’s commitment to perpetuating fossil fuel dependency. 

They emphasized that this sponsorship provides them with a significant platform to promote their polluting products and attempt to improve their public image.

Fossil Free Football urged FIFA to sever ties with major polluters, stating that both fans and players deserve better.

A Greenpeace spokesperson labeled this deal as an “own goal” for FIFA and a blatant example of sportswashing.

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