Beyond Cost–Benefit Analysis: A Maqasid al-Shari‘ah Framework for Evaluating the Legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Abstract

Debates about mega sporting events (MSEs) often rely on a narrow cost–benefit calculus that privileges measurable, short‑term economic effects. This lens is insufficient for host states whose event strategy is embedded in long‑horizon national development and identity projects. Drawing on the FIFA World-Cup Qatar 2022 (WC22), this study argues that Maqasid-Shari’ah provides a complementary evaluative framework that captures intangible legacies and normative priorities alongside sustainability objectives. Using a descriptive–analytical approach, supported by a comparative reading of prior World-Cups and the Olympic ‘white‑elephant’ debate, the study examines (i) soft power and nation branding; (ii) cultural and religious positioning in a globalized event environment; (iii) human security and public order; and (iv) sustainability‑oriented investment and post‑event legacy planning. The analysis suggests that interpreting WC22 through Maqasid dimensions—including the preservation of faith, life, intellect, family, and wealth—enables a more holistic understanding of host rationales, governance choices, and legacy claims, while clarifying where value pluralism and global norms generate tensions that require careful institutional design.