Leveraging sentiment analysis of Arabic Tweets for the 2022 FIFA World Cup insights, incorporating the gulf region

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose The study analyzes Arabic Tweets, with a focus on those originating from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, to examine public perceptions of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Methodology Twitter’s search API was utilized to gather a substantial dataset of 157,756 tweets collected from 1 October 2022, to 1 January 2022. After data cleaning, a refined dataset of 43,658 tweets, was categorized into positive, neutral, and negative sentiments based on sentiment scores. Findings Arabic tweets, initially held a positive sentiment towards the World Cup, which increased during the tournament, accompanied by a decrease in negative sentiment. Research contribution This study offers valuable insights into public sentiment regarding the 2022 FIFA World Cup among Arabic-speaking Twitter users, with a particular emphasis on those from the GCC region. Additionally, it lends support to FIFA's decision to host the event in the Arab World by highlighting the favorable public reception. Originality This research's originality lies in its examination of the transformation in public sentiment within the Arabic-speaking community throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup. These insights hold the potential to inform future decisions related to the hosting of major sporting events, providing a unique perspective on the evolving dynamics of sentiment within this demographic.