Football in the Middle East: State, Society, and the Beautiful Game

A tour d’horizon exploring how the world’s best-loved game is affecting people, societies and governments across the region.

Far and away the most popular sport in the world, football has a special place in Middle Eastern societies, and for Middle Eastern states. With Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, this region has been cast into the global footballing spotlight, raising issues of geopolitical competition, consumer culture and social justice.

Panelists: Zahra Babar (Center for International and Regional Studies at Georgetown University in Qatar), Ross Griffin (Qatar University), Craig LaMay (Northwestern University in Qatar), and Danyel Reiche (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Moderator: Abdullah Al-Arian (Georgetown University in Qatar)

Location: 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum