The FIFA World Cup 2022, National Identity, and the Politics of Women’s Sports Participation in Qatar

Abstract

This article provides a nuanced socio-cultural study of women’s sports in Qatar. While acknowledging the World Cup as one of several recent factors contributing to the increased participation of Qatari women in sports, the study aims to move beyond prevalent neo-Orientalist notions of women’s empowerment. The multi-layered approach involves deconstructing the concepts surrounding ‘modern sports', placing them within the politics of identity, and contextualizing colonial legacies, especially in football, across the broader Middle East region. This exploration widens to illuminate the complex and multi-layered links between sports and the politics of gendered national identity. By centering on socio-cultural dynamics, this research seeks to dispel prevailing myths around women and sports in Qatar, offering a more focused perspective that delves into the complex interplay of cultural, societal, and identity factors influencing women’s sports in the country.