This panel explores the complex political ramifications of the world’s biggest sporting event, examining whether hosting or participating in the World Cup strengthens democratic institutions by promoting civic pride, global visibility, and public engagement, or whether it instead enables authoritarian image-laundering, restricts civil liberties, and invites corruption.
Speakers:
Karim Zidan - Sports & Dictators Program Lead, Human Rights Foundation
Philippe Auclair - Investigative Reporter for Josimar and the Guardian
Jonathan Wilson - Columnist for the Guardian and Author of “The Power and the Glory”
Dr. Janie Frampton - Former Referee and FIFA Instructor