Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (left) and FIFA President Gianni Infantino, stand for the anthem prior to the match between Russia and Saudi Arabia which opened the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Luzhniki stadium in Moscow, Russia, on June 14, 2018
FORMER US national team captain Becky Sauerbrunn and Netherlands forward Vivianne Miedema are among more than 100 women’s football players who have signed an open letter protesting against Fifa’s sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabian state oil giant Aramco.
The letter calls the deal, which includes sponsorship at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, “much worse than an own goal,” citing Saudi Arabia's record on the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people and the impact of Aramco’s oil and gas production on climate change.
Sauerbrunn voiced concern for women who are imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.
Joao Pedro’s emotional goals against Fluminense captured the magic of an international club competition. But even as fans bring colour and passion, the Club World Cup’s deeper issues loom large, writes JAMES NALTON
JAMES NALTON discusses the use of dynamic ticket pricing at the 2026 World Cup and how it amplifies a culture already set up to squeeze as much money from fans as possible
Report raises alarm over ‘preventable deaths’ of labourers in Saudi Arabia
