Amnesty International has expressed concerns over FIFA’s recent partnership with Saudi Aramco, a state-owned fossil fuel company. The organization’s Head of Economic and Social Justice, Steve Cockburn, raised the issue of the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, specifically highlighting the imprisonment of women such as Salma al-Shehab and Manahel al-Otaibi for advocating for gender equality.
Cockburn urged FIFA to create binding agreements with Saudi Arabia to protect people from exploitation and discrimination before finalizing any hosting agreements. This comes after criticism of Saudi Aramco’s role in financing the country’s human rights abuses through sports washing.
Amnesty International also called on Saudi Arabia to support the phasing out of the fossil fuel industry and transition to renewable energy to prevent further climate harm. The country has heavily invested in sports globally, including golf, football, motorsports, and martial arts, with over 98% of Saudi Aramco being owned by the government and Public Investment Fund.
The location for the 2027 Women’s World Cup has not yet been determined. However, this partnership will make Saudi Aramco a sponsor of both the 2026 men’s World Cup as well as the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
