Qatar’s decision to host the World Cup was mired in controversy from the start but ultimately seems to have paid off, bringing the tiny Gulf emirate new friends and winning over old enemies. Gideon talks to Simeon Kerr, the FT’s Gulf correspondent, about what motivates the emirate to seek to deploy its vast wealth for political ends.
Clips: Qatar Airways; France 24
Qatar wooed EU lawmakers ahead of football World Cup
How the unlikeliest World Cup ever came to be
Qatar faces the harsh glare of World Cup publicity
Qatar World Cup provides rare source of unity to Arab states
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Presented by Gideon Rachman. Produced by Fiona Symon. Sound design is by Breen Turner
Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com
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