Concerns Over Human Rights Raised by FIFA Sponsorship Deal with Saudi Aramco for World Cups

Reacting to FIFA’s four-year global partnership deal with Saudi Aramco, Amnesty International’s Head of Economic and Social Justice Steve Cockburn expressed concerns about the state-owned fossil fuel company sponsoring the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Cockburn 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 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.

Saudi Aramco, as one of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers, posted record profits last year. Amnesty International 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, emphasizing the importance of phasing out the fossil fuel industry to prevent further climate harms.

Saudi Arabia has invested significantly in sports globally, with the government and the sovereign wealth fund owning a majority stake in Saudi Aramco. This ownership makes the company a significant source of the Kingdom’s income, wealth, and influence. The 2026 men’s World Cup will be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, while the location of the 2027 Women’s World Cup is yet to be determined.