Football World Cup Research Articles

P-184. Gastrointestinal Illness in Attendees of FIFA Football World Cup 2022 in Qatar

Abstract Background Mass gathering events may facilitate transmission of foodborne diseases. We determined the pattern and causative organisms of gastrointestinal illness in the attendees of the FIFA Football World Cup 2022 (FIFA-WC2022), one of the world’s largest sporting events, which was hosted by Qatar. Table 1. Baseline characteristics of individuals who underwent stool testing. Methods The study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, which was the designated provider and overseer of healthcare during FIFA-WC2022 for all visitors and served as the national reference laboratory for all microbiology testing. We retrospectively retrieved all stool testing data from attendees of FIFA-WC2022 from October 1 to December 31, 2022. Routine stool microscopy for ova and parasite and stool culture and sensitivity tests were performed on all samples received. PCR testing was performed for suspected food poisoning or when a rapid result was required for public health response. Table 2. List of organisms detected by culture and/or PCR. (Note that the number of organisms is higher than that of the patients as some patients had more than one organism identified). At least one organism was detected in 424 individuals. Results During the FIFA-WC2022, approximately 1.4 million visitors entered Qatar. During the study period, a total of 2,179 stool samples were received for testing. The most common reasons for testing were acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis (51.4%), abdominal pain (11.5%), screening/surveillance of potential contacts (10.6%), and fever (7.6%). At least one organism was identified in 424 cases. The most commonly identified organisms were bacteria (92.5%), viruses (7.8%), and parasites (2.8%). The most frequent bacteria detected were Salmonella spp. (40%), E. coli (25.7%), and Shigella spp. (8.8%). Conclusion A relatively small number of individuals attending the FIFA-WC2022 experienced laboratory confirmed infectious gastroenteritis. Bacteria were more frequently isolated than viruses. The yield of stool testing was higher for those presenting with acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis and fever, but not for those with abdominal pain or for surveillance/screening. These results have implications and lessons for planning future mass gathering events. Disclosures Adeel A. Butt, MD, MS, Gilead Sciences: Grant/Research Support

Qatar’s soft power v. sportswashing allegations: perspectives of Chinese football fans during the 2022 men’s football World Cup

This study explores how Chinese football fans discussed the 2022 Men’s World Cup hosted by Qatar on one of the most popular sports forums on China’s cyberspace, with a focus on how they evaluated the host country and the sportswashing allegations against Qatar. It was found that Qatar was unable to win over Chinese football fans by hosting the World Cup because of the agenda-setting power of the Western media and the Islamophobic sentiment of the Chinese football fans. On the other hand, the sportswashing allegations against Qatar received much backlash from Chinese football fans because they considered the West to lack moral authority. The findings of this paper offer lessons to other Global South countries that aim to improve their image overseas by hosting mega sporting events, and also to human rights organizations that attempt to advance human rights by making allegations of sportswashing.

Trust, interrupted: how did Brazil lose citizen trust in government after the 2014 World Cup?

Numerous people pay attention to large sporting events such as the Olympics and the football World Cup and derive a sense of national pride. As such, a large number of governments tend to support a national team for worldwide mega sporting events. The outcome of mega sporting events might affect citizens’ trust in government because this is a sort of government performance and solidifies national identity. However, few research studies have empirically estimated the impact of mega sporting events’ results on citizens’ trust in government. For this reason, this article is aimed at investigating how the 2014 World Cup affected Brazilian citizens’ trust in government. In particular, the article assesses how the disastrous defeat of Brazil by Germany affected Brazilian citizens’ trust in government. The results show that the outcome of the World Cup 2014 reduced Brazilian trust in government.

Gastrointestinal illness among attendees of the FIFA Football World Cup 2022 in Qatar

ObjectivesMass gathering events may facilitate the transmission of foodborne diseases. We determined the presentations and causative organisms of gastrointestinal illness among the attendees of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association Football World Cup 2022 (FIFA 2022). MethodsThe study was conducted at Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar, which served as the national reference laboratory for all microbiology testing. We retrieved all stool testing data from the attendees of FIFA 2022 from October 1 to December 31, 2022. Stool microscopy for ova and parasite and cultures were performed on all samples. Polymerase chain reaction testing was performed for cases of suspected foodborne outbreaks or when a rapid result was required for public health response. ResultsAmong 2179 samples tested, one or more organisms were identified in 424 cases. The most common reasons for testing were acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis (51.4%), abdominal pain (11.5%), screening/surveillance of contacts (10.6%), and fever (7.6%). Bacteria were identified in 92.5% (Salmonella spp. 40%, Escherichia coli 25.7%, and Shigella spp. 8.8%), viruses in 7.8%, and parasites in 2.8% of the samples. ConclusionsThe number of individuals who underwent stool testing during the FIFA 2022 was low. The yield of stool testing was higher for those with acute diarrhea/gastroenteritis and fever but not for those with abdominal pain or for surveillance/screening.

Global sport mega-events and local community impacts: the case of housing and redevelopment in Porto Alegre at the 2014 Men’s World Cup finals in Brazil

There has been little in-depth, social scientific research on how local communities experience the hosting of global sport mega-events (SMEs) with respect to the impacts of redevelopment on housing. This paper seeks to address this significant research gap through an in-depth study of housing issues, following substantial urban redevelopment, in the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil, for the 2014 men’s football World Cup finals. Research was undertaken with residents in locations affected by redevelopment. Data was gathered through two main research methods: a resident survey using random sampling (Cochran protocol, 1977, error of probability set at .05), and follow-up semi-structured interviews. The research found that residents viewed the redevelopment impacts on housing in critical and negative ways, with reference to a range of issues including increased personal insecurity, threats to ownership of real estate and the right to housing, misinformation, loss of public services, lack of public consultation, and policy incoherence and failure. From this, we argue that more research is needed both on how local communities experience sport mega-events when affected by them, and more specifically on how the negative impacts of these events on housing may be identified and tackled.

Deaths and clashes induced by rivalry among fans during FIFA World Cup 2022 in Bangladesh.

International sports events like the Football World Cup affect the collective emotions of the global community. Usually, major sports events like the Football World Cup show beneficial effects on the community. However, many unwanted consequences such as accidents, premature deaths and violent supporter rivalries have been noticed during it. We aimed to report preventable premature deaths and clashes induced by rivalry among fans during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Bangladesh. We monitored local newspaper reports for data collection during the World Cup 2022 event and collected data for age, sex, the possible cause of death, and precipitating events related to the event. We found 23 World Cup Football-related deaths, 35 hospitalizations, and 45 injuries related to clashes between the rival fans of Argentina and Brazil. The median age of deceased was 20 years. The majority of the deaths happened in young males due to fall while hoisting flags. Deaths in the late age happened due to sudden emotional upsurge during the game day. And, clashes between rival fans mostly happened due to social bullying favoring and disfavoring a team. This report indicates an important area of potentially preventable death related to World Cup Football and warrants public health attention even in a non-participating country, both locally and internationally.

Article RETRACTED due to manipulation by the authors Islamic values and cultural identity in world cup football commentary

This study analyzed how football commentary during the World Cups of 2010, 2014, and 2018 serves as a reflection of cultural, religious, and community values within the Islamic country. The primary objective is to explore how these commentaries are used in Islamic teachings, cultural pride, and social unity into the fabric of sports narratives, and to assess the implications for Islamic education. The research employs a qualitative content analysis, focusing on football commentaries from YouTube impressions Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Indonesia, Turkey, and Morocco. The study examines how these commentaries are infused with values. The values are teamwork, respect, humility, and the connection of success with Islamic principles. The findings of this study found that football commentary is a potent tool for reinforcing national and religious identities, fostering a sense of unity, and promoting positive society values. For instance, commentaries from Saudi Arabia and Egypt highlight the link between football success and Islamic teachings, deepening the viewers' sense of cultural heritage. Indonesian and Turkish commentaries emphasize collective effort and social cohesion, mirroring broader community values. This research contributes to Islamic education by demonstrating how football can be an effective medium for imparting religious and moral values. By incorporating Islamic teachings into sports, educators and community leaders have the opportunity to engage younger generations in a way that is both relevant and meaningful. This approach not only helps to strengthen cultural identity but also provides a dynamic platform for promoting core Islamic values in a contemporary context. Keywords: Football Commentary, Islamic Values, Cultural Identity.

DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY AND GENDER EQUALITY: CASE STUDY OF THE 2023 WOMEN'S SOCCER CUP IN SOCIAL AUDIT AND CITIZEN TRANSPARENCY

This article aims to analyze deliberative democracy, based on Jürgen Habermas' theory, applying it to the context of public and private entities, with a focus on gender equality in the 2023 Women's Football World Cup. The article will present a replicable model of social auditing, integrating Habermas' communicative rationality with the guidelines of the Brazilian Courts of Auditors. A connection will also be established between communicative rationality and administrative practices for the management of complex systems, since they share foundations of validity, correctness, sincerity, and truthfulness. The questions are based on the reports produced by the international media during the mega-event, using gender inequality as a category. The central argument lies in measuring the permeability of democratic civic common sense and identifying barriers to communication and effective engagement. The article seeks to contribute to citizen education and the integration of theory and practice in the face of the challenges of participatory democracy. The research presents two important results, the first confirms recent research on gender inequality in sport, as media coverage demonstrated disparities in women's football, and the second is the failure to comply with the rules of citizen transparency of sports entities.

Forecasting thermal stress for sports tourists at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

This study explores thermal stress conditions (i.e. heat, humidity, sunlight exposure) sports tourists can expect when attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Sports tourism’s growth is driven by international mega-events like FIFA World Cups and Olympic Games. With planning ongoing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup football (soccer) tournament, what remains unstudied are the heat conditions spectators can expect at the 16 host stadiums in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The inquiry is important considering (1) the tournament is taking place in warm-weather months of June and July, (2) thermal stress contributes to heat-related illnesses like heat stroke, and (3) many destination-bound tourists will be at elevated risk to heat. Accordingly, we report historical and forecasted thermal stress levels documenting expected conditions at each host stadium. Notably, forecasts indicate worsening thermal stress compared to long-term means, providing support for the study’s methodology. Practical implications and limitations are provided.

Assessment of tropospheric NO2 concentrations over greater Doha using Sentinel-5 TROPOspheric monitoring instrument (TROPOMI) satellite data: Temporal analysis, 2018–2023

This study presents a temporal evaluation of the tropospheric NO2 column densities over Greater Doha using TROPOMI satellite data from May 2018 to December 2023, and an assessment of the impact of the preparations and hosting of the FIFA Football World Cup Qatar 2022, on NO2 levels before, during and after the tournament over Greater Doha. Analysis of annual NO2 levels from 2019 to 2023 showed an increase in 2022 compared to that of the previous three years and a clear decrease in 2023 post the completion of the world cup preparations and hosting. Results also showed an increase in NO2 levels during winter compared to that in summer, with wind speed being an important determining factor. Findings showed that Fridays and Saturdays (both constitute the local weekend in Qatar) were 44% and 13% lower than that of the averaged weekdays, respectively. The annual NO2 levels in the post-world cup year of 2023 were found to be 24% lower than that in 2022 and around 16% lower than that of the previous years. NO2 levels during the World Cup tournament (20 Nov to Dec 18, 2022) were found to be higher than that of the same corresponding periods in all other available years including an increase of 27% compared to that in 2023. Wind speed played an important role in determining the NO2 levels during the world cup period and accounted for >96% of their daily variability, indicating that meteorological factors substantially influenced the NO2 column during the event.

Introduction: #(No)SeAcabó/it is (not) over: The Rubiales/Hermoso non-consensual kiss and the growth of a culture of concern

The 25th of August 2023 saw the birth of a new hashtag, in Spanish: ‘#SeAcabó’, or ‘it’s over’, to add to the many others that have accumulated following #MeToo. The hashtag arose out a protest following the medal ceremony for the Women’s Football World Cup during which Luis Rubiales inflicted a non-consensual kiss upon player Jenni Hermoso. In this introduction to the cultural commons special section, we prepare the way for our contributors’ contextualisation of the Rubiales/Hermoso non-consensual kiss by introducing the notion of a culture of concern. In this special issue, contributors chart how concern can be said to manifest as a rise in vigilance (Fowler) and in calls for accountability (Moro) both of which can be contrasted with a more typical culture of complacency and letting be. What is specific to this case study is the fuelling of concern by pre-existing debates around consent (Cefai) and visual representation (Zecchi), as well as the specificities of context such as the Spanish one (Fernández Romero and Núñez Puente) and the fight for equality for women in sport (Crabill).

Mega‐events and the minor

AbstractMega‐events like the Olympics and the football World Cups remain popular around the globe, regardless of their record of damaging host cities and societies. In parallel, research on mega‐events continues to grow across a range of disciplines, including geography. Much of this literature remains fixed at global levels of analysis. In this light, mega‐events suffer from a double problem: their planning and articulation too often cause harm to cities and societies and, simultaneously, research on mega‐events focuses too much on the macro. This paper endeavours to address both problems by proposing to make sense of mega‐events by thinking through the minor. This concern valorises micro scales and marginalised people, those who most often lose during mega‐event hosting. The paper argues that geographers are uniquely positioned to conduct nuanced mega‐event research across a globally diverse range of political‐economic contexts, and calls for more geographers to contribute to this project in a move towards a critical geography of mega‐events.

Exploring the connections: Dividend announcements, stock market returns, and major sporting events

This study conducts a detailed investigation into the interplay between major sporting events, specifically the ICC Cricket World Cups and FIFA Football World Cups, and their potential impact on the relationship between dividend announcements and stock market returns. Beyond the customary exploration of investor sentiment and its connection to stock market returns, our research thoroughly examines the effects of these significant sports events on the stock market's reaction to dividend announcements. Drawing on extensive FTSE 350 index data spanning January 1990 to December 2021, we employ event study methodology as the primary analytical framework. To bolster the reliability of our findings, we apply the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation method, addressing potential endogeneity concerns. Our results uncover a distinct pattern—the stock market exhibits a less favourable response to dividend increases announced following England's victories in major sporting events, such as the FIFA Football World Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup, compared to instances where they faced defeat. Additionally, we observe a more negative market response to dividend decreases announced following England's losses in these pivotal sporting events, as opposed to England emerging victorious in these key contests. This research contributes valuable insights into the intricate relationship between sports passion and market dynamics, offering implications for both scholarly discourse and investment strategy formulation.

What Makes Mega-Events Profitable? Determinants of Revenues and Costs of the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup

What Makes Mega-Events Profitable? Determinants of Revenues and Costs of the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup

A CIDADE EM JOGO: EFEITOS SOCIAIS E URBANOS DAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS NAS COPAS DE 1950 E 2014

The main objective of this article is to describe and analyze how the construction of sports equipment was carried out to meet the demands of mega sporting events, such as the Football World Cup and the Olympics. Thus, we seek to think about the results of public policies that aimed to establish new forms of sociability in urban space in the city of Rio de Janeiro to the detriment of mega-events. The hypothesis presented in this work is based on the idea that government rearrangements aimed to meet a demand from international capital, taking the city as a commodity. To do this, we start with a comparative analysis between the 1950 and 2014 World Cups. This article is inserted in the context of studies on the city, football and mega sporting events. Part of these studies demonstrate that the construction of sports arenas emerges as a tactic for producing new spaces of sociability under the control of a transnational entity, FIFA. The results are interference with the sovereignty of public policies, in urban, national and local spaces, generating a set of controversies between the effective demands of the population and the interest of international capital.

The relationship between game success indicators in the FIFA World Cup – Qatar 2022: An elastic-net regularization approach

Background and Study Aim. The significance of analyzing statistical indicators is paramount, as they provide valuable insights into the distinguishing performance factors of teams. The purpose of this study: 1) to identify statistically significant differences between relevant performance factors among winning, drawing, and losing teams in the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar; 2) explore indicators that are most strongly associated with the game results in this tournament. Material and Methods. A total of 64 matches and 32 participating teams were analyzed. The variables included in the research were: total shots, shots on target, shots off target, effectiveness, passes, passes completed, crosses, crosses against, offsides committed, offsides received, fouls received, ball possession, fouls committed, corners, corners against, yellow cards and red cards. The results are extracted from the official FIFA website. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and the ordinal logistic regression with elastic net were used for data calculation. Results. The results indicate that winning teams have statistically significantly higher mean values of variables related to goals scored: total shots (p < 0.05), shots on target (p < 0.01), and effectiveness (p < 0.01). According to the information-based model selection criteria AIC (Akaike information criterion) and BIC (Bayesian information criterion) effectiveness and shots on target are the most important variables regarding game results. They, along with corners, are best associated with successful teams. In contrast, crosses, ball possession, corners against, and yellow cards are associated with less successful teams. Results suggest that teams with high ball possession and large number of crosses, but fewer shots on target, have weaker results than teams with more shots on target and less ball possession. Conclusions. The study underscores the significance of certain performance indicators, such as total shots, shots on target, and effectiveness, in predicting a team's success. These findings provide valuable insights for coaches and teams to focus on specific aspects of their game to enhance their chances of winning. Additionally, understanding the impact of variables like ball possession, crosses, corners, and yellow cards emphasizes the importance of a well-rounded strategy for achieving success in international football tournaments.

Management of radiology services during the 2022 FIFA football (soccer) World Cup.

Diagnostic imaging is the predominant medical service sought for the assessment and staging of musculoskeletal injuries in professional sports events. During the 2022 FIFA Football (soccer) World Cup, a centralized medical care infrastructure was established. This article provides a comprehensive account of the radiological services implemented during this event, encompassing the deployment of equipment and human resources, the structuring of workflows to uphold athlete confidentiality, and initiatives aimed at enhancing communication. Communication channels were refined through radiology consultations held with national teams' health care providers and the adoption of audiovisual reports available in multiple languages, which could be accessed remotely by team physicians. Our established framework can be replicated in international professional football events for seamless integration and efficacy.

FOOTBALL VOCABULARY IN THE INTERNET ARTICLES ABOUT THE WORLD CUP IN QATAR

The present study aims to describe the origin of the specific football vocabulary used in the modern Bulgarian media language. The football vocabulary used in internet articles about the World Cup in Qatar 2022 has been studied. Various ways of enriching the football vocabulary and phraseology in the modern Bulgarian language are discussed: lexical loanwords, word-formation and phraseological calques, rethinking of vocabulary already existing in the Bulgarian language. Lexical loanwords from English are the most characteristic way of providing football-specific lexis. Most of the football vocabulary in Bulgarian is borrowed from English, which is also the case in many European languages. The forming of new derivatives from the loan lexis is one of the main ways of providing the necessary football vocabulary. The article explores also the use of metaphorically reinterpreted vocabulary from other semantic fields. The usage of metaphors in the headlines is very characteristic for the Bulgarian articles about football. Language has turned into a powerful marketing tool for the football media. Catchy headlines often prompt the reader to click on the link and to read the whole article. The applied methods of the research are descriptive and discourse analysis. The object are journalistic articles about the Football World Cup published online in November and December 2022.

Medical services at the FIFA world cup Qatar 2022

ObjectiveThe Football World Cup is among the biggest sporting events in the world, but data to inform the requirements of medical care for such tournaments are limited. This study describes...

History or vanity? The first “female” referees in the history of the FIFA World Cup and its reflections on Twitter

ABSTRACT In May 2022, FIFA announced that female referees, Stéphanie Frappart, Neuza Back and Karen Diaz, would officiate at the 2022 men’s football World Cup held in Qatar that year, making them the first women to do so, at the top level of the sport, which is regarded as the bastion of hegemonic masculinity. The present study examines on a global scale the appearance of Frappart, Back and Diaz at the World Cup within the context of its reflections on Twitter. The expressions produced by media organizations and users on Twitter were investigated through social network analysis and netnography. As a result of the study, it was determined that media outlets approached this event with normalizing and hegemonic/gendering statements towards Frappart, Back and Diaz, while users resorted to mocking/condescending expressions as well as those involving profanity and insults. Media outlets covering this event, which was viewed as a turning point, and users discussing this topic developed a counter-intervention with sexist and hegemonic discourses against the presence of “female” referees, which they regarded as an intervention in the legitimate sphere of hegemonic masculinity.