ICEhouse: The World Cup That Changed the Game: Lessons from Qatar

This panel discussion will explore how Qatar, an unlikely host, and tiny desert state, managed to host one of the most memorable World Cup tournaments in the history of the game. Significant issues were raised at this year’s Cup, including the role of the Global South in a sporting world dominated by the Northern Hemisphere, the balance of modernity and national tradition, and the role of infrastructure in elevating societies. From culture to economic growth and from infrastructure to innovation, this panel will discuss how Qatar changed the landscape of what’s possible and opened the doors to new opportunities in the Global South.