Sporting strategy of Gulf nations rocked by warAFP, NICOSIAAbout 80,000 fans were hoping to see Lionel Messi take on Lamine Yamal in Doha, while thousands more were gearing up for the Formula One grand prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, but the war in the Middle East had other plans. The Gulf countries have invested vast sums of money in bringing global sporting events to their shores as they try to diversify their hydrocarbon-dependent economies and improve their images abroad. Photo: AFPSince the start of the war last month, dozens of events due to be held in the Gulf have been canceled or postponed. Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2022, one of the sporting world’s crown jewels and a climactic moment for the country’s strategy. However, if there is chaos, or a “more hardline” Iranian government, organizing major events in the Gulf would be “extremely difficult,” he said.

Source: Taipei Times March 21, 2026 17:14 UTC