Qatar and the Redefinition of Citizenship through Soccer
Qatar’s preparation for the 2022 World Cup was unprecedented, combining opulence and ambition in a manner that captured global attention. From constructing multiple world-class stadiums to developing expansive fan facilities, every effort was taken to showcase the nation on a grand stage. At the heart of this transformation was the national soccer team, which included a blend of players from diverse backgrounds, including Iraq, Sudan, Algeria, and Portugal. The focal point of this integration was the Aspire Academy, a state-of-the-art soccer school designed to nurture talent from across the globe. This institution recruited young athletes as early as age 12, providing them with training and the promise of future glory by representing Qatar on the international stage. For many, the added allure included the possibility of obtaining a coveted Qatari passport.
However, Qatar’s approach transcended mere investment in sport; it fundamentally redefined the notion of citizenship itself. In a region where a majority of the population consists of expatriates, only approximately 300,000 individuals hold Qatari passports out of nearly 3 million residents. The pathways to securing citizenship in Qatar are notoriously exclusive, with only 50 new citizenships granted annually, requiring the personal approval of the emir. Despite this restrictive framework, a striking statistic emerged: 10 of the 26 players on Qatar’s national soccer team were naturalized citizens, raising questions about the nature and rights associated with such citizenship.
To comply with FIFA regulations, the entire national team is composed of Qatari citizens. However, these naturalized players carry “mission passports,” which grant citizenship solely for sports competition. Anthropologist John McManus highlights in his book, Inside Qatar: Hidden Stories from One of the Richest Nations on Earth, that these mission passports do not confer the full benefits enjoyed by actual Qatari citizens. Holders are excluded from housing assistance, interest-free loans, cash assistance for newlyweds, and government employment, and the citizenship conferred through these passports is temporary.
This redefinition of citizenship within Qatar has broader implications, highlighting a growing regional trend of precarious citizenship statuses in the Middle East and North Africa. The emergence of a two-tier citizenship system—where some have rights and privileges while others do not—challenges the traditional understanding of citizenship as a secure and protected status. In this sense, Qatar’s approach is not merely about sports; it reflects a deeper societal shift where the certainty and permanence traditionally associated with citizenship are eroding.
The lack of transparency regarding these mission passports is indicative of the sensitive nature of Qatari citizenship and the scrutiny from international bodies about the use of naturalized players. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides scant details, as the topic is tightly regulated. Reports have emerged that the duration of these mission passports remains unclear, causing anxiety among the temporary holders about their status and rights. Complicating matters further, there have been accounts of immigrant players receiving either delayed or unmet promises regarding full citizenship, raising pressing questions about their future now that the World Cup has concluded.
The Qatari mission passport system invites comparisons to the kafala system, known for its labor exploitation in the Gulf region. Yet, the situation surrounding the temporary citizenship provided to athletes presents a different kind of challenge. While labor sponsorship can be viewed through the lens of exploitation, the existence of a new, lesser form of citizenship directly highlights a worrying trend in governance and citizenship rights.
Historically, conditional and complex citizenship statuses have existed across the Middle East; however, today’s developments are unique and troubling. The region is increasingly viewed as an experimental ground for redefining citizenship, where the erosion of rights becomes a tool for governance. Qatar’s special citizenship for athletes raises a cautionary flag, hinting at a broader phenomenon where rights are tailored to fit state needs, especially when juxtaposed with Western nations revoking citizenship from individuals of Middle Eastern origin accused of terrorism.
This crossroads between the Gulf states’ approach to citizenship and the practices of Western nations represents a concerning shift in global citizenship discourse. The idea of citizenship, long regarded as a sacred bond between individuals and their governments, is becoming malleable, reshaped by expediency and political agendas. The potential normalization of limited, conditional citizenship rights can have pervasive ramifications, extending beyond individual cases to reshape how nations define and interact with citizenship itself.
The societal implications of Qatar’s model of mission passports underscore a landscape where individuals might find their citizenship under constant negotiation and redefinition. With ongoing geopolitical tensions and shifting dynamics within both the Middle East and the West, the future of citizenship—especially for populations seen as expendable or inconvenient—remains uncertain.
As Qatar’s national soccer team exemplifies the complexities of this evolving citizenship paradigm, it emphasizes the need for vigilance in how we understand and protect the rights associated with citizenship in an increasingly fluid world.
