Qatar and the 2022 FIFA World Cup

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xiii

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Paul Michael Brannagan, Danyel Reiche

   Pages 1-17

3. The State of Qatar: A Background

   • Paul Michael Brannagan, Danyel Reiche

   Pages 19-46

4. The Politics and Power of Small States: The 2022 World Cup and Qatar’s Global Sports Strategy

   • Paul Michael Brannagan, Danyel Reiche

   Pages 47-83

5. The Controversial Games: Responses to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup

   • Paul Michael Brannagan, Danyel Reiche

   Pages 85-122

6. Qatar in 2022 and Beyond: Changes, Opportunities, Challenges

   • Paul Michael Brannagan, Danyel Reiche

   Pages 123-150

7. Back Matter

   Pages 151-186

   PDF

This book offers the first, full academic analysis of the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup. Adopting an international relations perspective, the authors critically interrogate the politics and controversy that has surrounded arguably the most controversial sports event ever. In doing so, this text offers up an imperative examination of Qatar’s desired objectives through their investment in global sport and sports events, as well as provides readers with an academic explanation on why major event hosts – such as Qatar – receive so much international scrutiny in the pre-event stage of the event hosting process. On the back of this international scrutiny, this text also provides the first full analysis on how such negative scrutiny has forced Qatar to implement various social-political changes at home. 

• Qatar
• 2022 World Cup
• international relations
• sports events
• power
• political sociology
• small states
• global sports strategy

‘Brannagan and Reiche have advanced a succinct, sharply-written, and insightful study of the politics and international relations surrounding the Qatar 2022 World Cup finals in men’s football.  This will be an indispensable guide for academics, students, and wider readerships with an interest in this premier mega-event, or the state of Qatar per se.’ 
– Professor Richard Giulianotti, Professor of Sociology, Loughborough University, UK


‘What is striking about the book is the demonstration of balance and a sense of objectiveness in a discussion that has been sorely missing in many academic articles and journalistic pieces published to date. While Qatar’s shortcomings - both past and present - are acknowledged, it is refreshing to see a project of this nature resist the temptation of portraying the Gulf state drenched in orientalist stereotype and examine positive changes that have arisen from hosting the World Cup also’ 
– Dr Thomas Ross Griffin, Assistant Professor of American Literature, Qatar University, Qatar 


‘This book is well-written and balanced. It shows Qatar's ruling elite's sound vision for preserving its distinction and sovereignty. Qatar is carving out a niche on the world stage by investing in sports to transform itself into a nationalistic community distinct from its neighbours and taking pride in its achievements’ 
– Professor Hilal Khashan, Professor of Political Studies and Public Administration, American University of Beirut, Lebanon


‘This first fully dedicated academic book on Qatar and the 2022 World Cup provides essential information on how various global actors respond to, and come to challenge, states’ attempts at harnessing globalization. A must-read for those interested in understanding the politics and power of small states on the international stage, and the role played by international sports in this regard’ 
– Dr Cem Tinaz, Director of the School of Sports Science and Technology, Istanbul Bilgi University, Turkey

• Faculty of Business and Law, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK

  Paul Michael Brannagan

• Georgetown University in Qatar, Doha, Qatar

  Danyel Reiche

Dr Paul Michael Brannagan is an international relations scholar who focuses on state’s use of major events for achieving foreign policy objectives. He has published in leading political science journals, and authored/edited several books on sports politics. His research has also appeared in various media publications, produced by outlets such as the New York Times, The Independent and Sky Sports News.

Dr Danyel Reiche is a visiting associate professor at Georgetown University Qatar, where he leads a research initiative on the FIFA World Cup 2022. He published the book Success and Failure of Countries at the Olympic Games, and co-edited the volumes Sport, Politics and Society in the Middle East and Handbook of Sport in the Middle East. He has been frequently interviewed and quoted by major media outlets.