The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a Soft Power Instrument: A Study of the Role of Sports Diplomacy in Enhancing Qatar’s International Standing and Advancing Its Development Goals

This study examines Qatar’s use of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to its achieve strategic and developmental objectives and to enhance its position in international relations. The study highlights the growing role of major sporting events as instruments of soft power, sports diplomacy, and sustainable development. By, using a descriptive-analytical approach and a case study methodology, the research analyzes the strategic and developmental dimensions of hosting the tournament and evaluates its impact on Qatar’s international standing. The findings indicate that Qatar successfully employed the World Cup to strengthen its international image, bolster its soft power, and expand its international relations. Furthermore, the tournament also contributed to infrastructure development, tourism promotion, economic diversification, and the advancement of sustainable development goals within the framework of the Qatar National Vision 2030. Ultimately, the study concludes that major sporting events can serve as effective tools for promoting development and increasing international influence when they are integrated into a comprehensive national strategy.