FIFA’s New Partnership with Saudi Arabia: Is Clean Sports Sponsorship a Thing?

FIFA has recently announced a partnership with Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company, Aramco. This deal, set to last until 2027, grants Aramco sponsorship rights for the men’s World Cup in 2026 and the Women’s World Cup in 2027. Aramco already has sponsorship agreements in place with Formula 1 and the International Cricket Council.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino praised Aramco’s support for world-class events and their focus on grassroots sports initiatives. The partnership solidifies Saudi Arabia’s growing influence in the global sports landscape, though critics have accused the nation of using such high-profile events to enhance its international reputation, a practice known as ‘sportwashing’.

Fifa will announce the hosts of the upcoming tournaments soon, with speculation rising about the environmental impact of partnering with Aramco, the world’s largest oil producer. In the past, Fifa has faced criticism for making misleading claims about the environmental impact of sporting events, such as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Campaign groups like Fossil Free Football raised concerns about the partnership, stating that it only serves to perpetuate the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and attempts to improve Aramco’s image. They urge Fifa to sever ties with major polluters, emphasizing the need for a cleaner, more sustainable approach to sports sponsorship.

Despite Aramco’s assertions that they have one of the lowest carbon footprints in the industry, independent research from Carbon Tracker suggests they are among the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters. The debate around the environmental consequences of this partnership underscores