Soccer’s Impact on Middle East Politics

Soccer has become an important part of the Middle Eastern political landscape. In Qatar, controversy continues to swirl around the 2022 World Cup, with the government facing pressure to reschedule the event and heed the concerns of international trade unions and human rights groups. In Egypt, militant, highly politicized fans known as “ultras“ have repeatedly engaged in street violence, including the 2012 Port Said riot that killed scores and resulted in large-scale bans. And in Iran, the manager of the national soccer team has described how “the people who decide the direction of the country are constantly using the game for their political agenda.“ To discuss the sport’s past and future impact on regional politics, The Washington Institute is pleased to host a Policy Forum luncheon with James M. Dorsey. James M. Dorsey is a syndicated columnist and author of the blog (and forthcoming book) The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer. He is also a senior fellow at the S. R