Everything you always wanted to know about the Qatar World Cup (but were afraid to ask)

James Montague. Photo Vladimir Zivojinovic

Exclusive event for subscribers, Monday 14th November 2022

We’re delighted to be hosting our first real world subscribers’ event since before the pandemic.

At this intimate gathering we’ll be talking with Delayed Gratification’s associate editor James Montague, one of the world’s foremost experts on power, politics and football. He specialises in giving the deep cultural, social and economic background to the world’s favourite game.

And he has a newly updated edition of his book “When Friday Comes: Football Revolution in the Middle East and the Road to Qatar” out, which has just been published by Ebury ahead of arguably one of the most controversial and talked about sporting events ever: Qatar’s 2022 World Cup finals.

In this fascinating event at the beautiful Mortimer House in London’s Fitzrovia on Monday 14th November 2022 from 7pm-8pm he’ll be interviewed by DG editor Marcus Webb, giving the insights he’s gleaned from 20 years reporting on football in the Middle East, including:

How a tiny desert state with summer temperatures in excess of 50 degrees won the World Cup.
What life has been like for migrant workers creating the new sporting infrastructure in the country.
How Donald Trump and a spy war in the Gulf almost scuppered Qatar’s World Cup.
The backstories behind the most interesting teams and players in the region.
What fans travelling to Qatar can expect.
How big money from the Gulf has changed the beautiful game in the last two decades.
His World Cup predictions.

James’s talk will be followed by an audience Q+A.

Tickets cost £10, which includes a drink from the bar. Subscribers can buy tickets for non-subscribing friends at the same rate.

Copies of When Friday Comes will be on sale at the event. James will stay until 9pm to sign books, answer questions and enjoy a drink with attendees.