Women's World Cup hosts don't want FIFA to sign Saudi Arabia sponsor

Women's World Cup 2023 co-hosts Australia and New Zealand urged FIFA not to sign a sponsor deal with the tourism authority of Saudi Arabia where “rights of women remain severely restricted.”

Both the federations warned FIFA president Gianni Infantino, that unilaterally sealing the “Visit Saudi” sponsorship could “severely tarnish the reputation” of the 32-nation tournament that starts in July.

“We write to express our serious disappointment and concern at the news of the apparent appointment of Visit Saudi as a sponsor,” Chris Nikou of Australia and New Zealand's Joanna Wood wrote in the letter to FIFA seen by The Associated Press.

The co-hosts are urging FIFA to listen to them despite the tourism brand being endorsed by men's World Cup-winning captain Lionel Messi, who was announced last year as a paid pitchman.

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