Identifying effective factors in risk management: the case study of Qatar 2022 World Cup

Introduction

Mega sporting events (MSEs) such as the FIFA World Cup or the Olympic Games have long been regarded as milestones of international cooperation and athletic achievement. Yet, beyond the visible spectacle of competition and cultural celebration lies an immense organizational challenge: the effective management of risks. Organizing committees are required to design robust systems to mitigate threats that can arise before, during, and even after such events. To ensure safety, host nations typically adopt advanced surveillance technologies, deploy substantial security forces, and enforce strict regulations that extend to various aspects of daily life (Van Blerk et al., 2019). Although these measures are often justified on the grounds of protecting athletes, spectators, and infrastructure, they may simultaneously introduce long-lasting limitations on civil rights and personal freedoms.

The notion of security in this context is broad and complex. Risks connected with mega-events are not confined to sporting arenas or the duration of competitions. Non-sport-related threats such as terrorist attacks on public infrastructure, political demonstrations, or health emergencies have repeatedly disrupted the environment surrounding major competitions. As a result, the perception of risk spreads far beyond stadium walls, shaping the experiences of participants, visitors, and local communities well in advance of the event. In this respect, the challenge of risk management becomes an ongoing and multi-layered process, in which prevention and preparedness are just as important as real-time crisis response.

The literature defines risk as an uncertain event that can have either a positive or negative impact on the objectives of a project or initiative (Hillson, 2002). From this perspective, the task of managers is not only to reduce the probability and severity of negative risks but also to take advantage of positive risks or opportunities. In the case of mega sporting events, the opportunity dimension might include enhancing the host country’s international reputation, stimulating economic growth, or improving infrastructure. Conversely, negative risks may manifest as security breaches, logistical failures, or reputational damage following organizational mismanagement.

Risk management itself is an iterative cycle that involves several essential stages: risk identification, analysis, evaluation, treatment, and ongoing monitoring (Wang et al., 2010). Each of these steps is interconnected, requiring continuous adaptation as new threats emerge or circumstances change. For example, the identification of terrorism as a high-priority risk leads to analysis of its probability, the assessment of its potential consequences, the development of treatment strategies such as enhanced security screenings, and continuous monitoring of intelligence reports. The cycle is never static; it evolves with the environment.

This centrality of security is also supported by theories of human needs. Maslow (1943), in his hierarchy, emphasized that safety is one of the five fundamental human requirements, positioned immediately above physiological needs such as food and shelter. In the context of sporting events, this means that spectators and athletes must feel secure before they can fully enjoy or perform. If their sense of safety is undermined, the broader objectives of the event—celebration, unity, and performance—are compromised.

Previous research has also underlined how security and protection play foundational roles in the structure of sport organizations. Khalili et al. (2019), in their study of the Iranian Professional Football League, identified security as one of the core conditions for developing a performance evaluation framework. Their findings suggest that security is not a peripheral concern but a central determinant of organizational effectiveness. Applied to mega sporting events, such insights reinforce the idea that security planning is as critical as scheduling competitions or managing logistics.

In the case of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, security planning had particular importance. Qatar, as a relatively small state with limited previous experience in hosting events of this magnitude, faced the dual challenge of ensuring safety while also managing international scrutiny. Limited access to detailed information about security arrangements complicated research efforts, yet the necessity of addressing risk factors was evident. Thus, the present study seeks to explore to what extent athletes, National Olympic Committees (NOCs), and organizers were aware of terrorism risks, how NOCs supported athlete safety, whether responsibility was placed more heavily on the organizing committee, and what types of threats were considered most critical.

Accordingly, the central research question is: What factors influenced risk management in the Qatar 2022 World Cup?



Methodology

The purpose of this research was to identify and analyze the factors that shaped risk management during the Qatar World Cup. Given the complexity of the subject and the sensitivity of the information involved, a qualitative methodology was adopted. This approach allowed for deeper exploration of experiences, perceptions, and strategies employed by different stakeholders, rather than relying solely on quantitative indicators.

The primary method of data collection was semi-structured interviews, which combined open-ended questions with flexible conversation. This format ensured that while key topics were addressed, participants had the freedom to introduce additional insights and elaborate on issues that they considered important. Semi-structured interviews are particularly suitable for risk management research, where nuanced understanding of processes and human behavior is critical.

Participants were selected through purposive sampling, focusing on individuals directly involved in or affected by the event’s security arrangements. These included members of the organizing committee, athletes and their coaching staff, representatives of NOCs, and professionals engaged in security planning. Each interview ranged from 45 to 90 minutes and was conducted under conditions that ensured confidentiality. To protect participants, anonymization was applied in reporting.

Data analysis was carried out through thematic coding. Transcripts were reviewed to identify recurring patterns and concepts. Initial codes were then grouped into broader categories that reflected structural, managerial, human, cultural, and financial aspects of risk management. This iterative process allowed the findings to emerge organically from the data while remaining aligned with the research question.

The study encountered several limitations. One major challenge was the restricted access to official documentation due to confidentiality rules in Qatar. This limited the ability to triangulate findings with documentary evidence. Nevertheless, the interviews provided rich qualitative insights, enabling an in-depth understanding of the key factors influencing risk management.



Findings

The analysis of the interviews revealed five main categories and thirteen sub-categories of factors that were central to risk management during the Qatar World Cup.

1. Structure of Sports Venues

• Design of venues and equipment: Stadiums were planned with risk considerations in mind. Multiple evacuation routes, surveillance systems, and crowd management structures were integrated into architectural designs.

• Safety of venues and equipment: Routine inspections and maintenance were conducted to ensure that infrastructure could withstand both accidental hazards and deliberate attacks.

2. Human Resources

• Health issues and medicine: Medical readiness was considered critical, particularly given global concerns over pandemics. Facilities were equipped with advanced technology and trained medical teams.

• Security issues and hardware: Security personnel were recruited in large numbers, supported by technological equipment such as scanners and biometric systems.

3. Management Measures

• Manpower management: Allocation of staff was carefully planned to maximize efficiency across different venues.

• Manpower training: Security staff underwent simulations and drills to prepare for emergencies, ranging from evacuations to potential terrorist scenarios.

• Institutionalization: Risk management was embedded into the organizational structure, ensuring accountability and integration with overall event management.

• Management and planning: Long-term planning frameworks and risk matrices were applied to anticipate a variety of possible incidents.

• Emergency management: Protocols for responding to fires, crowd surges, or medical crises were established and tested.

4. Cultural and Social Factors

• Legal and ethical requirements: Qatar’s legal system imposed strict rules on security practices. While effective in enforcing compliance, these rules also limited transparency and raised ethical concerns.

• Cultural sensitivities: Organizers faced the challenge of balancing local norms with international expectations, particularly in managing fan behavior and cultural diversity.

5. Economic Risks and Financial Resources

• Economic risks: Cost overruns and financial mismanagement were identified as potential threats to the event’s success.

• Financial resources: Qatar’s substantial financial capacity enabled extensive investment in infrastructure and technology, reducing some categories of risk.

Taken together, these findings demonstrate that risk management extended far beyond the prevention of terrorism. Instead, it represented a comprehensive system integrating physical design, human resource management, planning measures, cultural awareness, and financial strength.



Discussion and Conclusion

The study’s findings illustrate the multidimensional nature of risk management in mega sporting events. Organizers of the Qatar World Cup had to consider not only immediate threats such as terrorism but also broader factors including economic sustainability, cultural dynamics, and organizational structure.

Several implications emerge from this analysis. First, economic and cultural factors deserve as much attention as technical security measures. While substantial financial investment can provide advanced technologies and infrastructure, cultural insensitivity can lead to reputational risks that undermine the event. Second, emergency management should involve collaboration beyond the stadium, integrating hospitals, transport systems, and local communities into preparedness efforts. Third, legal and ethical considerations must be carefully balanced. Although strict rules can enhance safety, they may also curtail freedoms, leaving long-term consequences for civil rights.

Maslow’s framework (1943) helps to interpret these findings: safety is a fundamental human need, and without it, the higher goals of sporting events—performance, celebration, unity—cannot be realized. Similarly, Hillson’s (2002) view of risk as both threat and opportunity reinforces the idea that effective risk management does not merely prevent harm but also creates the conditions for positive outcomes.

The example of Qatar demonstrates both the potential and the challenges of hosting mega sporting events. The integration of structural, human, managerial, cultural, and financial factors enabled the event to proceed without major disruptions, yet questions about transparency and civil liberties remain. Such duality suggests that risk management is not only a technical exercise but also a political and ethical issue.

In conclusion, the Qatar 2022 World Cup illustrates how risk management in mega sporting events is shaped by diverse, interconnected factors. Ensuring safety requires attention not only to immediate threats but also to economic sustainability, cultural sensitivity, and long-term social consequences. Future research may benefit from examining comparative cases to identify best practices and persistent challenges. By embracing both the technical and the human dimensions of risk management, organizers can create sporting events that are not only secure but also inclusive, ethical, and ultimately more sustainable.