ABSTRACT
Despite being separate from the outside, sport and politics are clearly interconnected. This interconnection is very visible in the Arab Middle East. Indeed, sport occupies a central and controversial role in the international relations of the Arab world. Whilst traditional sport still play a significant role in daily life in the region, these countries have embraced modern sport. Sport was used as a tool to resist colonial occupation and to develop an Arab collective identity. The search for collective identity, through sport, was marred by political tensions. These tensions have become more visible in the Arabian Peninsula since Qatar won the right to host the 2022 World Cup.
