The Frame Analysis of a Global Sporting Event: A Systematic Review of the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Abstract

This study examines the nature of scholarship in the area of coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The analysis is based on twenty-two articles retrieved from database of Google Scholar. A qualitative, quantitative and mixed method analysis of twenty-two open-access journal articles were retrieved to examine the issues discussed in the articles as well as the methods used in addressing the issues in the articles. The articles identified were published between 2021 and 2025. Content analysis data were thematically discussed to answer the research questions. The major themes identified in the study include human rights, Islamophobia, sportswashing and soft power. The review further identified twelve empirical studies out of the twenty-two articles retrieved. Researchers focused more on exploratory (qualitative) than explanatory (quantitative) research methods. This review paper is the first of its kind. Hence, it will provide a significant contribution to literature in the area of framing in the coverage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup since there seems to be no systematic review in the said area.