Morgan,33,will be one of the biggest names to feature in the tournament,which kicks off on July 20,but is uncomfortable with players at the Women’s World Cup being associated with a country which heavily restricts the rights of women - who could not even watch football matches in Saudi Arabia until 2018 - and where same-sex relationships are illegal.
“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,” Morgan said.
“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.”
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The United States Soccer Federation has since released a statement promising to “voice our concerns” despite having no say over who FIFA decides to align with commercially for the tournaments their national teams are involved with.
Matildas players last week took a more cautious approach than Morgan when asked about the matter,and midfielder Tameka Yallop said it would be discussed further among players,who were only just digesting what the implications could be for them.
FIFA is yet to publicly address the prospective Visit Saudi sponsorship,which prompted Football Australia chairman Chris Nikou and his New Zealand Football counterpart Joanna Wood to express the “serious disappointment and concern” of both nations in a letter to the global governing body.