Join PONARS Eurasia for an online discussion of the 2018 World Cup, as leading scholars assess its significance for sport, Russia and the world.

At this PONARS Eurasia event, participants will discuss the findings of the forthcoming edited volume, "Russia and the 2018 FIFA World Cup," with its contributors, including Richard Arnold, Olga Yakimova, Marina Mikhaylova, Michael Cole, Andrew Foxall and Manuel Veth.

About the Book:

Despite many negative expectations of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Russia delivered one of the best World Cups in living memory. This book brings together leading scholars working in Russian studies, sociology and political science to analyze the 2018 World Cup and assess its significance for sport, Russia and the world.

The book explores the connections between sport, soft power, populism, protest and international politics, and investigates topics including security, surveillance, social media and patriotic mobilization, shining new light on key contemporary themes in the social sciences. It reflects upon the importance of sporting mega-events for public diplomacy, and considers what the 2018 World Cup can tell us about the current condition of Russian society and the Russian state.

This is fascinating reading for anybody with an interest in soccer, sport and society, Russia, international politics, events or post-Soviet societies.

RSVP is requested; information can be found at this link.

Speakers:

Richard Arnold

Olga Yakimova

Marina Mikhaylova

Michael Cole

Andrew Foxall

Manuel Veth