America’s Game in the Middle East: The 2027 Qatar World Cup| Roundtable Meeting II
On May 29 and 30, 2025, the Center for International and Regional Studies (CIRS) hosted its second research workshop as part of the initiative on America’s Game in the Middle East: The 2027 Qatar Basketball World Cup. Over two days, participating scholars and experts engaged in dynamic discussions that addressed a range of critical themes, including basketball diplomacy, the experiences of female basketball players, the influence of social media, the concept of “sportswashing,” Saudi Arabia’s sports strategy, and the evolving landscape of US college basketball and the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Onur Yildrim opened the workshop by examining the role of American military bases in Cold-War era Turkey, specifically the Karamürsel Air Base, in facilitating cultural exchange through basketball. He argued that such bases primarily served military purposes, but they also introduced American customs and goods to local communities, albeit with limited direct social interaction. Basketball, however, emerged as a significant conduit for cross-cultural engagement, particularly following the establishment of the Karamürsel Youth Sports Club in 1969. American soldiers, some of whom joined the team as licensed players, contributed to the development of local talent, and the team’s regional success sparked a newfound passion for basketball in a community previously oriented toward traditional Turkish sports. Yildrim’s analysis underscores the enduring impact of grassroots efforts in fostering genuine intercultural connections.
Nadim Nassif assessed the global popularity of basketball and evaluated how Qatar’s hosting of the 2027 FIBA World Cup could enhance the country’s international standing and geopolitical influence. Employing the World Ranking of Countries in Elite Sport (WRCES) and the World Sport Power Index (WSPI), Nassif demonstrated that basketball consistently ranks as the world’s second most popular sport after football. He argued that, although the Basketball World Cup does not match the prestige of the Olympics, hosting the event provides significant global visibility for Qatar. Nassif contended that Qatar’s strategic use of sport, particularly through hosting high-profile events, is central to its soft power ambitions, even as its national basketball team’s achievements remain limited.
Lindsay Krasnoff and J. Simon Rofe presented a paper highlighting basketball’s unique capacity to serve as a vehicle for diplomacy and social transformation in the Middle East, drawing on examples from NBA’s Basketball Africa League and other regions. They emphasized basketball’s global reach and adaptability, which allow the sport to bridge divides, foster cultural exchange, and address issues such as gender equality, migration, and integration. The authors identified four key takeaways: basketball as a means of representation and negotiation; its potential to promote gender equality; the importance of local context; and the sport’s ability to forge a global identity that transcends national boundaries. They argued that locally driven initiatives, rather than externally imposed models, are most effective in leveraging basketball for diplomatic purposes.
Ashraf ELmidani, on behalf of his coauthors Kamilla Swart and Gerard Akinde, explored Egypt’s historically prominent role in African and Middle Eastern basketball. Egypt’s legacy is marked by early institutionalization, significant achievements in regional and international competitions, and leadership within FIBA Africa. Despite recent challenges related to infrastructure, funding, and competitiveness, Egypt continues to demonstrate resilience through club development, regional diplomacy, and international collaborations, including partnerships with the NBA. The study also highlighted Egypt’s commitment to youth, women, and para-sports, as well as its regional support for Palestine, while noting persistent systemic obstacles to reclaiming the country’s former dominance in the sport.
Misba Bhatti presented Nida Ahmed’s research on how women basketball players from the SWANA (South West Asia and North Africa) region utilize Instagram to navigate cultural expectations and challenge stereotypes. Through digital ethnography of athletes from Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye, Ahmed introduced the concept of the “athletic labour of SWANA femininity,” illustrating how these athletes balance athleticism with culturally specific expressions of femininity while resisting Western media’s sexualization of women athletes. Social media emerges as a platform for empowerment and visibility, countering dominant narratives and highlighting the agency of non-Western sportswomen.
Assile Toufaily examined the development of women’s basketball in Lebanon and the critical influence of the US collegiate system. Her research demonstrated that Lebanese athletes with US college experience significantly contribute to the sport’s growth in Lebanon, despite persistent social, cultural, and economic barriers. Toufaily underscored the importance of social media for scouting and recruiting, the impact of the Lebanese diaspora, and the need for greater institutional support to advance women’s sports development in the country.
Jung-Woo Lee analyzed the diplomatic implications of Qatar hosting the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup within the broader context of US-China-Qatar relations. He argued that Qatar’s investment in global sports aligns with the country’s economic diversification and image enhancement strategies, as articulated in the Qatar National Vision 2030. The World Cup is positioned as a platform for both American cultural diplomacy and Chinese economic engagement, reflecting the complexities of contemporary geopolitical rivalries.
Claudia Kozman investigated Qatari and international media coverage of the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup, focusing on journalistic roles and sourcing practices. Her findings indicate that sources―primarily athletes, coaches, and politicians―significantly shape journalistic approaches, with Qatari media tending toward infotainment and loyal-facilitator roles, while international outlets often adopt more critical or watchdog stances. The research highlights the hybrid and culturally contingent nature of sports journalism in the region.
Danyel Reiche reviewed the academic literature on sportswashing, noting its association with soft power and information manipulation, but argued that not all foreign sports investments constitute sportswashing. He examined the Qatar Investment Authority’s 2023 acquisition of a stake in Monumental Sports & Entertainment, emphasizing that the move was primarily a business decision aimed at revenue diversification, rather than an attempt at narrative control or prestige enhancement.
Sebastian Sons explored Saudi Arabia’s evolving engagement with basketball as part of its broader sports diplomacy and economic diversification strategy under the country’s Vision 2030. While football, motorsports, and tennis have received greater attention, basketball is gaining prominence through increased infrastructure, youth training, and female participation, as well as the hosting of major events such as the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup. Sons argued that basketball advances Saudi objectives in nation branding, identity construction, and international leverage, though its potential remains underutilized compared to other sports.
Craig LaMay concluded the workshop by discussing the NBA’s near-monopoly on global basketball broadcasting revenues and its aggressive expansion into Europe and the Middle East in pursuit of new talent, fans, and revenue streams. The NBA’s evolving media strategy, including a landmark partnership with Amazon, reflects its efforts to reduce reliance on regional broadcasters and tap into underserved markets. LaMay also noted the potential for Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia, to emerge as competitors through the potential creation of a global basketball super league, signaling a new era of alliances and rivalries among the NBA, FIBA, Euroleague, and Gulf investors.
- For the roundtable agenda, click here.
- For the participants’ biographies, click here.
- For the research initiative, click here.
Participants and Discussants:
- Zahra Babar, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar
- Misba Bhatti, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar
- Ashraf ELmidani,
- Noor Hussain, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar
- Claudia Kozman, Northwestern University in Qatar
- Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, New York University
- Craig LaMay, Northwestern University
- Jung Woo Lee, University of Edinburgh
- Nadim Nassif, Notre Dame University
- Danyel Reiche, CIRS – Georgetown University in Qatar
- J Simon Rofe, University of Leeds
- Sebastian Sons, Center for Applied Research in Partnership with the Orient (CARPO)
- Assile Toufaily, PhD candidate
- Onur Yildirim, Middle East Technical University in Ankara
Article by Misba Bhatti, Research Analyst at CIRS