The most controversial World Cup ever is a result of the sport being used as a political tool - one which shows both the power and vulnerability of its hosts.
World Cup insignia at the corniche in Doha. Image: Alamy Stock Photo AS WE REACH the reality of this thing, the question persists.Fifa World Cup decorations at Doha's corniche. Source: Alamy Stock Photo
Has anyone really looked at Qatar since they won the World Cup and thought better of them? So, on those terms, it could be argued that Qatar’s World Cup project is already a failure. But ‘sportswashing’ isn’t the sole reason Qatar have splurged so much money to arrange this football competition. Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup is also about power and weakness. “Fundamentally the World Cup is about Qatar’s strategic vulnerability”, he says. Qatar is a tiny country – its area is less than that of Cork and Kerry combined – and is surrounded by larger, powerful neighbours: it shares a land border with Saudi Arabia and maritime borders with UAE, Bahrain, and Iran.
“If you can demonstrate to the world that you can deliver on a plan, keep your promises, and have to resources to invest in important projects: this sends a signal to the global community.” “There is a defensiveness underpinning Qatar which a lot of people have not picked up on”, says Professor Chadwick. “Putin deliberately used sport for offensive purposes, rather than defensive purposes. Without doubt, sport for Putin was of a malign nature. It wasn’t intended to pacify or placate, it was intended to divide and conquer – a totally different strategy.”
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