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Why Saudi Arabia suddenly became impossible to ignore in world football? (And no—it’s not just about star signings and eye-watering contracts.) Join us for another Wine & Wisdom conversation unpacking how, why, and to what end the Kingdom has moved so rapidly into the global industry of football.
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Middle East expert, brings a rare combination of expertise – as both a lifelong football supporter and a leading specialist on Gulf politics. Drawing from his book Kingdom of Football, he will place Saudi Arabia’s football ambitions in historical and comparative context, examining earlier Saudi investments in the sport and parallels with national efforts in the United States, Japan, and China. Moving beyond simplistic narratives such as “sportswashing,” he will connect football to Saudi policymaking, economic and social transformation, and foreign policy. He will also compare Riyadh’s approach with those of other Gulf states including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and assess the sustainability of the Kingdom’s strategy as it counts down to hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
What we’ll explore over wine
- Why 2023 Changed Everything: How Saudi Arabia emerged so quickly as a global football power
- Football as Policy: The domestic and international drivers behind the Kingdom’s strategy
- Beyond the Headlines: What popular narratives miss about Saudi engagement in the sport
- Gulf Comparisons: How Saudi Arabia’s approach differs from Qatar and the UAE
- Road to 2034: What’s at stake as the Kingdom prepares to host the FIFA World Cup
PS: No jersey required. Curiosity is mandatory.
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