Combating Islamophobia: English in the Linguistic Landscape of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Abstract

This chapter analyzes Qatar's strategic use of English and other non-official languages in public signage and religious messaging during the FIFA World Cup. In 2022, Qatar became the first Arab and Muslim country to host the World Cup, marking a significant milestone for international football. However, undercurrents of Islamophobia shaped much of the discourse in Western media about the event. To counter Islamophobic narratives, Qatar strategically placed public signage that articulated Islamic viewpoints on global issues such as human rights and environmental sustainability, using English to convey these messages. This approach also highlighted universal values, such as peace, kindness, and mercy, which are central to the Islamic faith. This chapter shows how Qatar used the linguistic landscape to present Islam in languages most World Cup attendees understood, positioning itself as a mediator in the global conversation on Islam. By doing so, it challenged stereotypes through education and open dialogue.