Dr Seebal Aboudounya, former LSE Fellow in the Department of International Relations, argues that with the 2022 FIFA World Cup approaching, it is necessary to understand the potential of international football matches for unintentionally worsening diplomatic relations so that the creation of future diplomatic problems can be avoided. 

With the 2022 World Cup just weeks away from commencing, it is important to have this international sporting event planned in a way that does not result in worsened diplomatic relations between states. The FIFA World Cup is an international sporting event attracting millions of viewers every four years. During this international tournament, people from around the world gather to support their national teams as they play international matches that can potentially win them the prestigious World Cup. The political significance of the event is emphasised through the chanting of national anthems, the raising of national flags and the attendance of high-level representation from the participating states throughout the event and during the matches.

Scheduling a match between two national teams has not always been good news for the diplomatic world

However, while the idea behind bringing national teams together in an international competition is based on positive intentions, scheduling a match between two national teams has not always been good news for the diplomatic world, and history has some worrying examples. During the World Cup qualifiers matches in 2009, Egypt and Algeria’s diplomatic relations experienced a down-turn despite the deep historical connections between them. In 1969, the World Cup qualifying match between El Salvador and Honduras tore diplomatic relations and heavily contributed to a war between them, often referred to as ‘The Football War’.

However, on a more positive note, a World Cup match between Armenia and Turkey played a useful role in introducing new hopes for improved diplomatic relations between those states, despite a rocky past. Thus, international football does possess the ability to positively influence diplomatic relations. However, caution must be taken because excessive passion may spill-over into the world of diplomacy, resulting in bad situations.

When looking at the current schedule of upcoming matches, two matches have the potential to have unintended negative consequences. However, one seems more serious than the other. The first one is the match scheduled between the United States and Iran. Those two states undoubtedly have one of the most heated diplomatic relations in contemporary international relations. Bringing the two states together in an international match, with the world watching, may further worsen the relations between the nations, if no caution is taken.

Bringing the two states together [US and Iran] in an international match, with the world watching, may further worsen the relations between the nations, if no caution is taken.

The second match between France and Tunisia is much less serious, but it still holds some risk given France’s colonial history in Tunisia. The Tunisian-French relations are much more amicable compared with the US-Iranian relations, but caution is still required. The memory of French colonialism is alive in Tunisia as well as in its neighbouring North African countries, such as Algeria and Morocco. Themes associated with France’s colonial legacy may therefore create charged feelings between the two parties, which may then transmit into the game.

Reflecting on the above, it is therefore important that the upcoming World Cup takes action to ensure that the FIFA’s 2022 World Cup can run smoothly, without harming the world of diplomacy. So what can be done? The solution does not lie in a single entity, but rather, collective action is required at different levels so that no diplomatic problems arise during the World Cup. Some suggestions are outlined below:

1. FIFA and the Media: The governing body of the World Cup has a large role to play here. FIFA needs to ensure that the events are covered in a way that does not incite hatred or create heated relations between nations. With the help of international Media, adverts in the stadium, on TV, and online can carry positive messages reminding fans of the distinction between supporting your national team and making offensive remarks towards other nations. Making it clear that the latter is inappropriate and contrary to the purpose of the event will have a large impact in stopping ill feelings and negative expressions from arising during the match.
2. The participating states: The participating states in the World Cup have a large role to play here too. Their politicians and officials should be reminded to refrain from making statements that may unintentionally charge the atmosphere among their people prior to, during and after the matches.
3. The fans in the stadium: The crowd inside the stadium also have a role to play. Offensive chanting against the other team should not be allowed. The people in the stadium could also be provided with instructions and guidance prior to their entry so that they are made aware of the expected behaviour inside the stadium.
4. The fans at home and online: The people at home need to also understand that they too have a role to play. Senior family members should remind their children that making offensive comments at home or online about another team’s country is wrong. A disagreement about a penalty should therefore not escalate into disrespectful comments about another country. There are regulations in place that can be sought when such technical disagreements arise. The family and its members have a role to play in supporting their teams positively, without inciting hatred verbally or online which can easily escalate into diplomatic tensions.
5. Raising awareness and making behavioural expectations clear will enable the whole world to fully enjoy this exciting event, without unintentionally causing inter-state problems along the way. With more caution exercised, especially among the fans, international football will overcome potential obstacles in its way to become a ‘game that brings people together, inspires generations and promotes team spirit’, as envisioned by its governing body.

Raising awareness and making behavioural expectations clear will enable the whole world to fully enjoy this exciting event, without unintentionally causing inter-state problems along the way.

This article represents the views of the author, and not the position of the Department of International Relations, nor of the London School of Economics.

Banner photo by Fauzan Saari on Unsplash