Russia and the 2018 FIFA World Cup

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 analyse 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.

"Richard Arnold's volume is the first comprehensive, multidimensional academic reflection on the impact and legacy of the 2018 tournament for Russia in its immediate aftermath. It is a valuable addition to the libraries of scholars of Russian politics, society and sports, and a necessary starting point for subsequent reflections on the 2018 World Cup." – Vitaly Kazakov, University of Manchester, Europe-Asia Studies

Richard Arnold is Associate Professor of Political Science at Muskingum University, USA, where he teaches courses on International Sports and Politics, Russian Politics, Russian Foreign Policy, and Ethnic Conflict and Nationalism.