Risk and (in)security of FIFA football World Cups – outlook for Russia 2018
2017, Sport in Society, 20(5-6), pp.583-598
Abstract
Preparing and hosting a FIFA World Cup has often been perceived to bring tremendous opportunities to the host country. These include stimulating a sense of patriotism and fostering nation-building to help further modernize and fast-track infrastructural development within the country. Nevertheless, as with any sporting mega-events, hosting an event of such magnitude and international interest comes with exceptional risks. This essay presents an assessment of risks relating to previous FIFA football tournaments, namely – 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany; 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, to reflect upon a number of threats and challenges associated with the hosting of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. With a lapse of eight years from the award to the tournament, the planning and operational decisions for Russia 2018 are undertaken under conditions of high ambiguity. The essay aims to identify the effects of uncertainties that may compromise the Russian World Cup through the assessment of potential and emerging threats that hold the potential to jeopardize the safety and security of the tournament.