Since the start of the century, and in particular within the last decade, Qatar has taken steps to establish itself as a sporting nation as part of a wider drive to improve its international profile. A huge part of this drive has been its focus on the footballing sphere. The Qatari approach to ‘football diplomacy’ can be broken down into three core elements that serve complementary purposes on the global stage. 

Qatar has taken steps towards firstly increasing domestic talent, secondly attracting overseas investment and sponsorships, and lastly hosting a wide array of sporting events, most notably the 2022 World Cup. 

Increasing Domestic Talent

Qatar has invested large sums of money in internal talent development. In 2004, the multidisciplinary Aspire Academies were founded by Emirati decree - an order from Qatar’s head monarch. The royal family’s involvement in Qatari sports policy, as well as the concerted longevity of its sports policy, emphasises and underlines its strategic nature.