If the deal goes through, Fifa will be incentivised to maximise profits for shareholders. What might this look like? It could range from increasing the regularity of the World Cup or hosting it only in countries with significant (petro) capital - such as Saudi Arabia or UAE. 5/9

So, how did this happen? Aren't FIFA all about sustainability? 🤔 Well... they like to say they are. In fact, FIFA even promised that it will be "net zero" by 2040. 3/4 📖: publications.fifa.com/en/annual-re...

In April 2024, Aramco - Saudi Arabia's state oil company - was announced as a sponsor of FIFA. For those watching the 2026 World Cup, they may have noticed Aramco's logo everywhere. But what many do not know, is that Aramco is the world's largest fossil fuel company. 🛢️💨 2/6

Our analysis estimates Qatar Airways' FIFA sponsorship could induce around 3.7 MtCO₂e of additional emissions. That's more than many countries emit in an entire year.

Sponsorship isn't philanthropy. Companies spend millions because advertising increases sales. And more sales of fossil fuels means more emissions. Our analysis estimates Aramco's FIFA sponsorship could induce 34.7 MtCO₂e in additional greenhouse gas emissions.

As fans, players and residents in Houston face extreme weather, Aramco is casting its ugly shadow across the state.  While the world’s focus is inside the stadiums, the plights of local communities in Port Arthur and beyond are being ignored.

The Motiva oil refinery is the largest in the US according to some measures - reportedly expanded production capacity to 654,000 barrels of crude oil a day in 2025.  And since 2027 it’s been owned by the world’s largest oil company, Saudi Aramco.

Coming soon - “Barçawash”, a new investigative film from Matt Rendell. Around the world, FC Barcelona’s charitable wing uses sport as a tool to support vulnerable children and young people. But its good work is undermined by its partnerships with mega polluters.

Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia is the David vs Goliath game of the 2026 World Cup. ⚽️ The small island nation is highly vulnerable to climate impacts, and this weekend they face a petrostate whose oil company is sponsoring the tournament. 👉Learn more at www.cooldownclimate.org

The prestigious tennis tournament is due to start on June 29th, with their headline sponsor Range Rover expected to be on prominent display.  And by platforming polluting the SUV maker, Wimbledon is legitimising the risks they pose.

𝗖𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗜𝗚𝗡 𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘: Baroness Natalie Bennett tabled amendments to ban fossil fuelled sports sponsorship. ⚽️💨 "With this bill, we have the opportunity to ensure that the biggest events in this country that we host do not become a vehicle for greenwashing." (1/5) @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social

Ahead of this year's World Cup, the New Weather Institute and Cool Down analysed the tournament's host cities. So far, four of the 'Hot Six Cities' have seen extreme heat. As a reminder, a wet bulb globe temperature of 30°C is equivalent to 45°C(!) at 32% humidity. 😬 (2/6)

But a lesser-known source of emissions comes from increasing sales for fossil fuel giant and tournament sponsor, Aramco. Increased business for Aramco will cause additional emissions of around 30 million. 📖 - www.newweather.org/wp-content/u... 6/7

World Cup host cities across the US, Canada and Mexico face high temperatures, labour violations and pollution that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities.  It’s time for FIFA to cut ties with Aramco, and focus on protecting players, fans and communities most at risk.

Houston is most at risk. 🌡️  And while the city’s climate-controlled stadium may protect fans inside, workers and residents outside of it face dangerous heat, hurricanes, pollution, and a fragile power grid.

And the insanity doesn't stop at expecting players to perform in dangerous conditions. Roland Garros is also promoting a company whose business is driving extreme weather. As Menšík struggled to keep his body moving, oil-state owned airline Emirates loomed court side. 🤯 6/7

The tournament, also known as Roland-Garros, saw temperatures soar to 33°C. And while players and fans beg for better protection from the heat, Roland-Garros partners with mega-polluting airline Emirates - owned by UAE, a renowned petrostate.

Barcelona once positioned itself as football’s ethical club. For 107 years, it refused paid shirt sponsorships. This changed in 2011 when the club began promoting major airline, Qatar Airways. And now the club has sportswashed for a harmful oil company endangering communities.

Local residents also accuse Gran Tierra of operating gas flares continuously for years near communities. Scientific studies have linked flaring pollution to increased risks of respiratory illness and premature death. Flaring in the area. 👇

Farmers near the Costayaco oil fields say contaminated overflow from oil waste pools enters rivers feeding the Amazon basin during heavy rains. Photos from the investigation show petroleum sheens coating surface water and polluted creeks near farmland. 🛢️

🛢️ Gran Tierra Energy is a Canadian oil company with extensive operations in the region. Community leaders and farmers interviewed by The Athletic allege that the company has: - contaminated drinking water - flared toxic gas near communities for years - polluted rivers

Putumayo is one of Columbia's poorest regions. So when children in the area were visited by World Cup winner, Edmilson - it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But daily life for Putumayo's youth is punctuated by the impacts of the oil wells operated by sponsor Gran Tierra.

📍Deep in Putumayo, one of Colombia’s poorest Amazon regions, Barcelona shirts are everywhere. This is because - since 2019 - the club's Foundation has run youth programs in the area. But the program is also funded by Gran Tierra - a major oil company active in the region. 🛢️

The letter also calls on FIFA to match player protections with serious climate action. Players argue football cannot claim to care about welfare while accepting sponsorship from fossil fuel companies helping drive the worsening heat affecting the game itself. 🤥

As Galway United player Jimmy Keohane puts it: “In the heat of the moment, you're not gonna decide to stop. You expect the organisers of the game to protect you.” Players say safeguarding health cannot be left to athletes competing under pressure in dangerous conditions.

Among the signatories are current and former internationals from across the men’s and women’s game, including: 🇳🇴 Morten Thorsby 🇮🇹 Elena Linari 🏴 Russell Martin 🇦🇺 Massimo Luongo 🇩🇰 Sofie Junge Pedersen 🏴 David Wheeler …alongside players from more than 20 countries.

FIFA's lack of concern for the environment isn't just symbolic - it has real consequences for players, fans and workers. This year's World Cup will see unprecedented heat, with temperatures expected to reach dangerous levels at 26 games. 📖: www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-chan... 4/6

But it's not just the tournament's record emissions that fly in the face of FIFA's supposed environmental concern. 🤥 This year's World Cup will promote oil sponsor, Aramco - the world's largest fossil fuel company that is alone responsible for 4% of global emissions since 1965. 3/6

🚨 In a new film with @cooldownnetwork.bsky.social, we spoke with fans about their earliest football memories. But the beautiful game has taken an ugly turn. The 2026 World Cup will promote Aramco - the world's largest fossil fuel company. Watch the full film 👉www.cooldownclimate.org

Climate and health experts are urging the government to support farmers and consumers to shift towards more plant based food. And this giant burger advert is pushing in the wrong direction.