Climate activists are turning their attention to FIFA, planning protests over the organization's sponsorship deal with Saudi oil giant Aramco. The move comes after similar campaigns against the Los Angeles Dodgers, signaling a strategic shift in targeting major sports institutions linked to fossil fuels.
The decision to focus on FIFA highlights growing scrutiny of the World Cup's environmental impact and its association with Aramco, one of the world's largest oil producers. Critics argue such sponsorships undermine global climate goals.
Aramco's sponsorship of FIFA has drawn criticism for tying the world's most popular sporting event to a company with a significant carbon footprint. Activists have long pressured sports leagues to sever ties with fossil fuel sponsors.
This protest campaign could disrupt FIFA's relationship with key sponsors and amplify debates on corporate responsibility in sports. However, the effectiveness of such actions remains uncertain.
Some observers warn that targeting FIFA may yield limited results, given the organization's history of resisting external pressure on sponsorship decisions.