BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardner, Professor of History Quinn Slobodian, Professor of sport and geopolitical economy Simon Chadwick, and visiting fellow Cinzia Bianco discuss Saudi Arabia's growing global influence, the discovery of oil, Mohammed bin Salman's rise to power, Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, the construction of NEOM, Saudi Arabia's interest in global sports, and the country's changing foreign policy.

Exploring how countries leverage sports investments for soft power, focusing on football and mega events like world cups. Insights into sports diplomacy, Qatar and China's strategic investments, UAE's soft power play, and Abu Dhabi's global image through City Football Group partnerships.

Simon Chadwick, Professor of Sports Enterprise, discusses the shift from western to Asian sponsors in the World Cup, with a focus on Mongolian yogurt. The podcast also explores the impact of social media on sports events, player influence in the World Cup, and the use of wearable technology to enhance player performance.