Interest in volunteering for the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar: a nationally representative study of motivations

Abstract

Qatar is the first Muslim and Arab country to host the FIFA World Cup. The Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, the organisation responsible for providing the required infrastructure, host country planning and operations, is already offering volunteering opportunities across numerous activities, events and tournaments. However, few studies have examined citizens and resident expatriates’ attitudes toward volunteering for such mega-events in both Qatar and the rest of the Arabian Gulf. In the following paper, we address this research gap by exploring the determinants of Qatari citizens and expatriates’ interests in volunteering for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Drawing on two waves of nationally representative surveys from Qatar, we explore various elements that affect Qataris and expatriates’ interest in volunteering. In general, and after controlling for a wide range of demographic variables, our study found that previous volunteering experiences, interest in football, and positive attitudes about Qatar hosting the games had the strongest effect on the respondents’ interest in volunteering for the upcoming FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar. The study provides a non-Western perspective and insight into volunteering motivations and, as such, is an important tool for event organisers developing volunteer recruitment and retention strategies.