Qatar

Can authoritarian regimes use high-profile sports events to reshape how foreign publics see them? The concept of "sportswashing" suggests yes: hosting a major tournament could burnish an autocrat's reputation abroad. Christian Gläßel, Adam Scharpf, and Pearce Edwards test that claim using original survey evidence tied to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

This study examines attitudes toward public opinion surveys among Arab populations using original data from Qatar. Unlike previous research, it discovers a new dimension reflecting perceived survey intentions.