Co-hosts of the Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand have written to FIFA seeking urgent clarification after it was reported that the Saudi tourism agency had signed a sponsorship deal for the world cup.

Football Australia (FA) expects global governing body FIFA to confirm that Visit Saudi will join international brands such as Adidas, Coca-Cola and Visa as title sponsors for the 32-team tournament that kicks off in July, the Guardian reports.

The FA said it understood FIFA had done. “Destination Partnership Agreement” for the World Cup And has written to FIFA asking for clarification on the situation.

“We are very disappointed that Football Australia was not consulted in this matter before any decision was made,” the FA said in a statement.

New Zealand Football added in a separate statement: “If these reports prove to be accurate, We are shocked and disappointed to hear this as New Zealand Football has not been consulted by FIFA in this regard.”

FIFA and Visit Saudi were not immediately available for comment.

The sponsorship deal was reportedly met with a horrendous response by human rights activists.

“It would be ridiculous for a Saudi tourism organization to sponsor the world’s largest celebration of women’s sport. when you consider that As a woman in Saudi Arabia You can’t have a job without the permission of a male parent Nikita White, Amnesty activist International Australia said

Former Australian media and international expert Craig Foster said it would be an “absolute disgrace”.

in the past few years Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has introduced reforms that allow women more control over their lives. But men still hold firmly in power.

This kingdom has made a huge difference in the past few months. Cristiano Ronaldo joins Saudi Arabian club Al Nasr with a two-and-a-half-year deal estimated to be worth more than 200 million euros.

The Middle Eastern country also has ambitions of hosting the Men’s World Cup in 2030 and is expected to earn its stamp of approval as the host of the 2027 Asian Cup at the Asian Football Confederation meeting this month.

The Republic of Ireland will play the World Cup this summer. This will be the first time they compete in a major tournament.