New conceptual apparatus for political orientation in relation to sporting mega-events – case: the World Cup in Qatar 2022

The Football World Cup in Qatar 2022 is used as a case study to examine which novel concepts can be used by human rights-oriented national sports federations to act adequately politically at sporting mega-events. The key concepts outlined here are: (1) 'Policy monopoly': The legitimate right of a host nation or an international sports organization (FIFA/IOC) to politicize. (2) 'Over-politicization': The politicization of the host nation, international sports organization or national federation beyond the legitimate politicization mentioned above. (3) 'Counter-politics': Other actors – such as e.g. national federations/national teams/athletes – who manifest legitimate political protests against 'over-politicisation'.