A Copa do Mundo masculina do Catar 2022 pelas lentes da mídia ocidental: soft power, diplomacia esportiva e sportswashing

Abstract

The article seeks to discuss the general context of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The aim is to examine Western journalistic discourses from the perspective of culture, political values and international relations. We will understand the concepts of Soft Power, Sports Diplomacy and Sportswashing. As considerations, we can point to the use of sport to position Qatar as an active player in development programs and to present positive facts to improve geopolitics in the region, characterized by diplomatic tensions between Qatar and its neighbors in the Gulf. From the Western perspective, Qatar uses sportswashing to divert world attention from the issue of migrants, human rights, gender differences, racist and homophobic legislation. Qatar uses sport in four pillars of attraction, hosting international sporting events; investing in global sports; promote the country's success at the elite sporting level and engage sports stars as sports diplomats.