U.S. women's national team star Alex Morgan called a potential Visit Saudi sponsorship of this year's Women's World Cup “bizarre,” adding in comments to reporters Wednesday that “morally, it just doesn't make sense.”
The Athletic reported last week that the Gulf nation's tourist board is set to be unveiled as one of the tournament's sponsors, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
“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,” the USWNT and San Diego Wave FC striker said Wednesday.
“I just don't understand it. I think that what Saudi Arabia can do is put an effort into their women's team that was only formed a couple of years ago, and doesn't even have a current ranking within the FIFA ranking system because of how few games they've played. That would be my advice to them, and I really hope that FIFA does the right thing. I mean, pretty much everyone has spoken out against that, because morally, it just doesn't make sense.”
Morgan's comments come after the Australian and New Zealand football associations wrote to FIFA last week for urgent clarification regarding the sponsorship. Football Australia also told The Athletic last week they are “very disappointed” FIFA did not discuss the matter with them.
The United States Soccer Federation has since released a statement vowing to “voice concerns.”
The statement read: “U.S. Soccer strongly supports human rights and equity for all and believes in the power of our sport to have a positive impact. Our values, principles and vision guide our decisions in choosing which sponsors and partners with whom we directly align.
“While we cannot control how other organizations manage sponsorship selections for the tournaments we compete in, we can voice our concerns and we will continue to support our players.”
Amnesty International has described Saudi Arabia's human rights record as “appalling.” Homosexuality and gay marriage is illegal in the country and women were not allowed to watch football matches until 2018.
Saudi's Women's Football League was launched in 2020 and FIFA's own website reports “women's football is rather new in Saudi Arabia”. This month, the Saudi Arabia women's national team hosted and won a four-team friendly event in a bid to secure a FIFA women's ranking for the first time.
The U.S. women's national team is set to face off against Canada, Brazil and Japan this month as part of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. The team will open World Cup play on July 21 against Vietnam in Auckland, New Zealand.
(Photo: Sam Navarro / USA Today)