Qatar is about to host the most expensive World Cup ever, costing as much as $300bn. Why has this small, gas-rich kingdom chosen to host football’s most prestigious event, and how does it fit into its broader plans for economic transformation? 00:00 - Why is Qatar hosting the World Cup? 00:57 - World Cups are expensive competitions 01:56 - Qatar’s human rights violations 02:36 - Qatar’s place in the Gulf 04:43 - Qatar distinguishes itself from its neighbours 05:50 - Qatar bids to host the World Cup 07:18 - Qatar’s neighbours issue a blockade 10:12 - What might happen after the World Cup? Read our defence of Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup: https://econ.st/3XcOC5A Sign up to The Economist’s daily newsletter: https://econ.st/3QAawvI Read more of our coverage on the Middle East & Africa: https://econ.st/3Xf0nsb Is Qatar ready to host the World Cup?: https://econ.st/3UMnJDT Should fans enjoy the World Cup?: https://econ.st/3hSE1gf Qatar hosting the World Cup shows how football has changed: https://econ.st/3V5KO4n India’s hospitality workers head to the World Cup: https://econ.st/3tDZHiC Qatar’s neighbours hope for a hospitality boom: https://econ.st/3gfOSAa