1st Edition

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar Global and Local Perspectives

Edited By Nikolay Kozhanov, Mahfoud Amara, Mahjoob Zweiri Copyright 2025
256 Pages 3 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

256 Pages 3 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

256 Pages 3 B/W Illustrations
by Routledge

This book offers an in‑depth analysis of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The first World Cup to be held in the Middle East, this was a unique sporting mega‑event, and this book explores its wider significance across political, socio‑cultural, economic, organisational and historical dimensions. Featuring the work of an international team of researchers, this book includes local and regional... Read more

Introduction

MAHFOUD AMARA, NIKOLAY KOZHANOV AND MAHJOOB ZWEIRI

1 Revisiting the History of Qatar’s Decision to Bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup

KRISTIAN COATES ULRICHSEN

2 A Geopolitical Economy of the FIFA World Cup: Observations from Qatar’s Hosting of FIFA’s Showcase Tournament

SIMON CHADWICK

3 Qatari Lessons for Activists Gearing Up for a 2034 Saudi World Cup

JAMES M. DORSEY

4 The Impact of the 2022 FIFA World Cup on Iran: A Clean Sheet for Scoring Political Points

GHONCHEH TAZMINI

5 The 2022 FIFA World Cup and the Post‑Colonial

Narrative Examined 81

SARAH AL NAIMI AND THOMAS BONNIE JAMES

6 Qatar’s Sports Diplomacy of the 2022 World Cup and Ontological Security of Qatar Foreign Policy

HAZAL MUSLU EL BERNI

7 Building a Lasting Legacy: Beyond Qatar 2022

SIMONA AZZALI

8 Infrastructural, Socio‑cultural and Economic Issues Dealing with Disabled Spectators: Lessons from the FIFA World Cup 2018 and Qatar Experience

VADIM KAPUSTKIN

9 Framing of the FIFA World Cup 2022: An Examination of Message Appeal in the English Language Press in the UAE

MAGDALENA KAROLAK

10 Nation Branding Through Sport Mega‑Events: The Case of Qatar’s World Cup

KAMILLA SWART, OTHMAN ALTHAWADI, YARA ZEYAD ALI AND BRENDON KNOTT

11 The World Cup and Human Rights in Qatar: A Catalyst for Change?

YOUCEF BOUANDEL AND THOMAS BONNIE JAMES

12 FIFA World Cup as a Catalyst for Qatar to Achieve its Goals on Sustainability and Sports Diplomacy

MELTEM ÖZEL

13 Sport Diplomacy and Soft Power through Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022: A Case of Generation Amazing

DAVIES BANDA, KRISTIAN COATES ULRICHSEN, NASSER AL KHORI AND JONATHAN MISEROY

Biography

Nikolay Kozhanov is a Research Associate Professor at the Gulf Studies Center of Qatar University, Qatar. His research interests are focused on the geopolitics of the Gulf hydrocarbons, Russian foreign policy in the Middle East and Iran’s economy and international relations.

Mahfoud Amara is an Associate Professor in Sport, Social Sciences and Management in the Physical Education and Sport Science Department, College of Education at Qatar University, Qatar. Dr Amara’s work focuses on sport, business, culture, politics and society in the MENA region, and sport, cultural diversity and Muslim communities in the West.

Mahjoob Zweiri is a Professor in Contemporary Politics and History of the Middle East, with a focus on Iran and Gulf region, and the former Director of Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University. Professor Zweiri has more than 90 publications in the areas of Iran and Contemporary Middle East History and Politics, Gulf Studies and Social Sciences.