Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer

From signing Brazilian World Cup captain Roberto Rivelino back in 1978 to bringing in Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most globally recognized athletes of the modern era, in 2023, Saudi Arabia has steadily expanded its influence in world football. How did the kingdom reach this point, and can it transform itself into a lasting center of power in the global game?

On April 29, fellow Kristian Coates Ulrichsen will present his new book, “Kingdom of Football: Saudi Arabia and the Remaking of World Soccer” (Hurst, 2025). Writing as both a soccer fan and a Gulf specialist, Dr. Ulrichsen places Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a football hub in a historical and comparative context. He traces earlier Saudi investments in the 1970s and examines parallel efforts in the United States, Japan and China to elevate the sport nationally.

Moving beyond popular media labels such as “sportswashing,” “Kingdom of Football” analyzes the domestic, economic and foreign policy drivers behind Saudi Arabia’s turn to football. The book also compares Riyadh’s strategy with those pursued by other Gulf States, such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Dr. Ulrichsen concludes by assessing the sustainability of the kingdom’s engagement with the sport as it prepares to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Dr. Ulrichsen will be joined in conversation by A.Kadir Yildirim. The event will conclude with a book signing.

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