New Zealand and Australian football's governing bodies have asked FIFA to 'urgently clarify' reports that Saudi Arabia's tourism authority will be an official sponsor at the 2023 Women's World Cup.
New Zealand Football claimed it had not been consulted, nor had World Cup co-hosts Australia, and said it was 'shocked and disappointed' by the reports.
Amnesty International has already criticised the potential deal as FIFA seeks to attract brands to specifically support women's football.
New Zealand Football said: 'If these reports prove correct, we are shocked and disappointed to hear this as New Zealand Football haven't been consulted by FIFA at all on this matter.
'As FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 co-hosts, New Zealand Football and Football Australia have jointly written to FIFA to urgently clarify the situation.'
The World Cup takes place from July 20 to August 20 across 12 cities in New Zealand and Australia and organisers have estimated that around two billion people will watch the tournament.
Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its human rights record and accused of 'sportswashing' after investing heavily in global sport.
The takeover of Premier League club Newcastle and the recently formed LIV Golf tour were both financed by the country's Public Investment Fund.
Amnesty International UK's head of priority campaigns and individuals at risk, Felix Jakens, said: 'The rolling crackdown on human rights under Mohammed bin Salman has seen brave women's rights defenders like Loujain al-Hathloul jailed, tortured and then banned from speaking publicly or leaving the country, so this latest reported effort to sportswash the country's appalling human rights record is both breathtaking and yet entirely predictable.
'After Cristiano Ronaldo's signing, the purchase of Newcastle, the LIV Golf series and the country's hosting of numerous high-profile sporting events, Saudi Arabia's use of sport to try to mask its terrible human rights record is now a depressingly well-established pattern.
'Women in Saudi Arabia face serious discrimination in marriage, divorce, inheritance and child custody rights, while Saudi women who've dared to speak out about the need for reforms in the country have received massive jail sentences.'
Jakens added: 'FIFA should speak out about the need for human rights reform in Saudi Arabia and not merely allow its premier women's tournament to be used for sportswashing, while players, coaches and fans should likewise challenge this crude exploitation of their sport by Saudi Arabia.'
Saudi Arabia submitted a bid last month to host the 2026 Women's Asian Cup 'with the aim of growing the game across the continent and offering new opportunities to connect to football fans and inspire future generations'.
The Saudi Arabia Football Federation announced a new strategy to transform the women's game in its country in 2021 and targeted a top 20 FIFA ranking in time for the 2034 World Cup.
The SAFF also launched its Regional Women's Football League in 2021, across the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam and, according to its own figures, currently has 523 registered players and 25 registered clubs.
