On Some Diplomatic Aspects of Organising FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar

Sports diplomacy is a means to influence diplomatic, social and political relations through sports. However, the sports and politics have had both positive and negative implications over history. On the one hand, sports diplomacy significantly contributes to building ever-strengthening relations among nations, sports federations and athletes which help to support world peace. On the other hand, everyday practice reveals cases of implementing negative impacts on organising sporting events such as financial and political influences, or even bribery and corruption. One of the most frequently criticised examples of the failure of the ideals of sport is organisation the 2022 FIFA World Cup which is scheduled to take place in Qatar. Football has always been the most popular sport in the world and its most significant quadrennial championship always attracts attention of millions of people worldwide. Decision to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the Middle East country evoked various suspicions, as the decision may be connected with possibilities of money laundering and other financial profits.