Elements of Postcolonialism in Sportswashing: A thematic discourse analysis of FIFA in the context of the World Cup in Qatar of 2022

Abstract: The study aims to demonstrate to what extent speeches, Instagram posts and LinkedIn posts of Gianni Infantino, as the main representative of FIFA, have been marked by elements of Postcolonialism and sportswashing to influence the acceptance of the FIFA World Cup of 2022 in Qatar. The result of this study indicates that FIFA’s rhetoric is marked by Postcolonial elements. Also, the study suggests that certain rhetoric is employed to divert attention away from the criticism of the West in the context of the FIFA World Cup of 2022 in Qatar. Additionally, the study provides insights into how Postcolonialism and sportswashing are related to a certain extent. To reach this conclusion the authors conducted a discursive thematic analysis to highlight themes of the theory of Postcolonialism and the concept of sportswashing. Understanding the field of research into sportswashing is crucial in the pursuit of knowledge about the impact of global sports organizations on the international political arena. This study contributes to the understanding of how elements of Postcolonialism can be found in discourses for the purpose to justify international sports events.