FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022: A TOOL OF SOFT POWER IMAGE

Abstract

Qatar has been using its soft power tools to enhance its influence across the region and globe. Among these tools’ diplomacy and mediation, education and research, culture, media, and sports are among the most prominent. Qatar got the privilege to hold and host the FIFA World Cup of 2022 by winning the bid in 2010. It was not only an opportunity for Qatar but a great challenge as well. Soccer World Cup is the second biggest sports event in the world, and its arrangement for a tiny state was challenging indeed. So, Qatar put many stakes on. This paper aims to study the FIFA World Cup 2022 as a tool of public diplomacy by Qatar and to find whether Qatar remained successful in enhancing its influence among the people across the region and the globe. This research paper applies qualitative and quantitative research methodology. To know the observations of the visitors to Qatar during the FIFA World Cup 2022, a structured questionnaire was sent to the visitors on their WhatsApp contact numbers. respondents from almost 18 countries from Asia, Europe, Africa, and South America were approached. They were asked various questions about Qatar’s role in the FIFA World Cup, its preparations and infrastructure for holding the World Cup, World Cup arrangements, etc. The respondents observed that FIFA World Cup arrangements, behavior of the locals with the foreigners, and arrangements of safety and security, inter alia, were up to the mark. Above all, as compared to the other FIFA World Cups, more than 90 percent respondents declared it as the best, recommended Qatar for another FIFA World Cup, and as the future destination. The results show that Qatar remained very successful in achieving its objectives of attaining a soft power image.