Qatar's World Cup

Over the next few episodes, we present Hidden Histories: stories that will make you rethink how the world works. First up, the conspiracy behind the lightbulb—and how it came to shape the entire consumer economy. If you ever wondered why your tech outdates so quickly or just plai ...  Show more

One of the most fundamental aspects of American democracy has been the public’s ability to critique power, whether that’s through protest, legislation, or a really funny joke. Today, we take a romp into the history of American comedy, showing no matter how crude, rude, or distast ...  Show more

Soccer is sometimes called “the second religion of the Arab World,” and Qatar is the region’s first country to host the World Cup. But FIFA’s pick of the desert nation comes with boundless controversy. This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-check ...  Show more

For the first time World Cup history, the tournament is hosted in the Middle East. Football has always been more than just a game in the Middle East. Seen sometimes as a symbol of decolonisation and regime legitimisation, it also plays a role in fostering national identities. In ...  Show more

The World Cup, the biggest single sporting event on the planet, began earlier this month. By the time the tournament finishes, half the global population is expected to have watched. 

The 2022 World Cup has also been the focus of over a decade of controversy because of i ...

When Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup, it made sports history — becoming the first Middle Eastern nation to ever host the competition. But it was never the obvious choice, and speculation started almost immediately. How did they manage to clinch the win? Learn mo ...  Show more