Sports Tourism and Its Role in the Development and Advancement of the Tourism Sector: A Case Study of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the role of sports tourism in the development and advancement of the tourism sector, using the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as a case study. The research employed a descriptive–analytical approach supported by statistical methods using SPSS to analyze data from a sample of 192 participants involved in tourism and sports sectors. Findings revealed that hosting the World Cup significantly increased tourist arrivals, enhanced infrastructure and cultural sites, diversified national income sources, and generated positive socio-cultural impacts that improved Qatar’s global image. The study recommends sustaining these achievements by leveraging the developed infrastructure, organizing future mega-events, and adopting Qatar’s experience as an Arab model for sustainable sports tourism development.