FIFA Women’s World Cup will begin on July 20 this year and will run until August 20. It’s less than five months to go before the tournament starts. It looks like FIFA is already on the back foot regarding its sponsorship deal with Saudi Arabia. Many high-profile players like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have publicly criticized the governing body over the deal.

The criticism not only came from the players but also from the organizing nations. Australian and New Zealand soccer associations have also registered their protest against the deal. The backlash that the sponsorship deal has received from all over has shocked the soccer’s governing body. 

FIFA was shocked over the backlash it has received

When FIFA decided to add Saudi Arabia’s tourism arm as the official sponsor for this year’s Women’s World Cup, they wouldn’t have expected the backlash. It all started with Football Australia and Football New Zealand, the co-hosts of the tournament, joining hands and letting FIFA know their disagreement over the deal. 

In addition, many high-profile players criticized the governing body publicly over the deal when news came out. Although FIFA hasn’t made the deal official yet and is already thinking of scrapping the deal as per new reports. The backlash has shocked the governing body, which has learned its lessons during the Qatar FIFA Men’s World Cup and is taking a cautious approach. 

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It will be interesting to see how things pan out over the controversial deal. The backlash started because of the women’s rights issues in Saudi Arabia. Players don’t want the country where women reportedly can’t enter the stadium to see soccer matches to sponsor the women’s tournament. Alex Morgan labeled the deal bizarre, whereas Megan Rapinoe called it inappropriate. 

Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe slammed FIFA for the Visit Saudi deal

The moment the news broke out, USWNT star Morgan asked FIFA to do the right thing and cancel the deal. Morgan said, “I think it’s bizarre that FIFA has looked to have a Visit Saudi sponsorship for the Women’s World Cup, when I, myself, Alex Morgan, would not even be accepted and supported in that country.” 

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Morgan’s USWNT teammate Rapinoe also joined her in criticizing FIFA over the deal. “I think [the sponsorship is] totally inappropriate. If they want to do, like, a 20-year-long women’s empowerment project and in 2043 sponsor a World Cup, that would be something. But I think it kind of just further proves the corruption, and the thought process of FIFA,” Rapinoe said.

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The backlash from the co-hosts of the World Cup and several high-profile players, FIFA is reconsidering the deal. Let us know in the comments whether FIFA should scrap the deal or not.