Over the last ten years, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have poured an astonishing amount of money into the world of soccer. This massive financial investment has garnered them significant influence, widespread attention, and a level of access that few other countries can match.
Now, for the first time, this influence seems to have directly impacted on-field results. Both the Qatari and Saudi national teams clinched their spots in next summer’s World Cup just this month. This achievement followed controversial rule changes by Asia’s soccer governing body – an organization heavily funded by both Gulf nations – which granted them home-field advantage, additional rest days, and increased ticket access for their supporters during qualification.
These sudden adjustments sparked outrage among competing teams and have intensified scrutiny on the dynamics of power within global soccer.
Carlos Queiroz, head coach of Oman’s national team, voiced his strong disapproval, stating, “I simply can’t understand it.” His team recently played a goalless draw against Qatar in Doha. He added, “I am, however, absolutely convinced that this playoff format was the worst possible service that football leadership could have done to its own credibility.”
Qatar’s soccer federation, whose sole previous World Cup appearance was as host, not through qualification, chose not to comment. The Asian Football Confederation and Saudi soccer federation also remained silent when asked for their remarks.
The immense spending by both Gulf nations has consistently undermined soccer’s credibility. This was particularly evident when FIFA, global football’s governing body, controversially awarded the 2022 World Cup hosting rights to tiny, gas-rich Qatar in 2010, a process widely criticized as corrupt—allegations Qatar denies. Further controversy arose when FIFA bypassed its own regulations to grant Saudi Arabia the 2034 tournament without any competitive bidding.