Why Qatar's hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup matters

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to describe the importance of the FIFA 2022 World Cup for Qatar and for the region, bridging between inside-outsider perspectives. A lot have been written and said about this mega event being held in Qatar from outside and with some distance - geographically and culturally. The chapter is written from the stand point of academics (non-Qataris) and observers (outsider), living in Qatar (insider) for a number of years, having been witnessing the transformation of the country, in relation to the planning and delivery of the event itself and beyond with regards to internal societal dynamics and external geopolitical context.