Beautiful Game, Ugly Politics: Is the World Cup Good for Democracy? | 2026 Oslo Freedom Forum

This panel explores the complex political ramifications of the world’s biggest sporting event, examining whether hosting or participating in the World Cup strengthens democratic institutions by promoting civic pride, global visibility, and public engagement, or whether it instead enables authoritarian image-laundering, restricts civil liberties, and invites corruption. Speakers: Karim Zidan - Sports & Dictators Program Lead, Human Rights Foundation Philippe Auclair - Investigative Reporter for Josimar and the Guardian Jonathan Wilson - Columnist for the Guardian and Author of “The Power and the Glory” Dr. Janie Frampton - Former Referee and FIFA Instructor Learn more about #OsloFreedomForum: Website: https://oslofreedomforum.com X: https://x.com/OsloFF Instagram:   / osloff   Join us in promoting freedom where it’s most at risk! Donate today: https://hrf.org/?form=donate