⏩️ Quick Access:
What is the issue?
Why should we do something about it?
Why do YOU have the power to make a difference?
What can you do NOW?
What is the issue?
Fifa recently announced a sponsorship agreement with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, Aramco. The deal is in place until 2027, giving Aramco sponsorship rights for the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027.
Saudi Aramco is one of the world’s biggest fossil fuel producers. Its impact on the environment is huge. This sponsorship has also raised big concerns because of the company’s association with the Saudi state, known for its poor human rights record, especially regarding women’s rights as well as LGBTQIA+ rights.
Over 100 women’s football players have already signed an open letter urging FIFA to reconsider their decision, including players like Man City’s Vivianne Miedema, Canadian Captain Jessie Flemming and former US Captain Becky Sauerbrunn!
As women’s football fans, we firmly believe that this sponsorship is not aligned with the values of our sport.
Inspired by our heroes on the pitch, we’re launching this petition to urge FIFA to drop Saudi Aramco as a sponsor.
The women’s football community as a whole is coming together to defend our sport and the values we stand for.
Join the squad and help us make a difference!
Why should we do something about it?
🌏 FIFA stated its commitment to gender equality and the climate, yet this sponsorship decision directly clashes with it.
- FIFAs objective is to cut its emissions by 50% before 2030 and to be net-zero in 2040. It makes no sense to have an oil company as sponsor.
- As the largest state-owned oil and gas company in the world, Saudi Aramco is one of the corporations which is most responsible for burning football’s future1.
- Grassroots football across the world is being smashed by extreme heat, drought, fires and floods, but as we all pay the consequences Saudi Arabia rakes in its profits, with FIFA as its cheerleader.
🚺 As the letter from players says, “Saudi authorities have been spending billions in sports sponsorship to try to distract from the regime’s brutal human rights reputation, but its treatment of women speaks for itself.”
- For example, the week after FIFA announced the partnership with Aramco, fitness instructor Manahel al-Otaibi was sentenced to 11 years in prison under ‘anti-terror’ laws, just for writing about female empowerment on social media.
- We want to stand by the women and girls of Saudi Arabia whose human rights are violated.
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ relationships are criminalised in Saudi Arabia. As fans we want to stand by LGBTQIA+ individuals, many of whom are heroes of the women’s game.
1: Carbon Majors database of historical production data from world’s largest oil and gas companies.
Why do YOU have the power to make a difference?
When it comes to preserving women’s football, our community is a powerhouse.
We’re not just fans – we’re game-changers, and it’s time to show the world what we’re made of. Let’s rally together, kick down barriers, and score a victory for women’s football.
Our passion is infectious, our voices are strong, and together, we can ensure that the beautiful game continues to inspire and empower for years to come. So, gear up, unite, and let’s make history on and off the pitch!