Football's new home? The beautiful game in the Gulf ft. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen

How is football being used as a tool of power and influence in the Gulf? This week, Guy and Francesco sit down with Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a scholar at Rice University and expert on the region, to unpack the strategic playbook behind Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE’s deep dive into the beautiful game.Kristian explains how these states leverage football not just for global prestige but as part of their long-term efforts to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas. From the legacy of Qatar’s 2022 World Cup to Saudi Arabia’s ambitious vision for the sport’s future, we explore what these moves mean for football fans and geopolitics alike.Plus, we discuss Kristian’s upcoming book, The Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer, coming this August from Hurst—available for pre-order now!