DO successive World Cups ‘run on natural gas?’

Fossil fuels (oil and gas) account for more than 70% of Qatar’s total government revenue – which is the equivalent of more than 60% of that country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and roughly 85% of its export earnings.

In GDP capita terms, Qatar is in the top five economies in the world: £70,000 ($85,000) per person versus a global average of £17,200 ($21,000), according to the World Bank.

And, of course, fossil fuels have helped fund a record estimated £180bn ($220bn) of spending on Qatar hosting the 2022 World Cup.

In fact, many of the most recent World Cups have taken place in countries which are fossil fuel powerhouses.

According to 7iM and the US Energy Information Administration, the top five countries in the world, in terms of natural gas riches, are: Russia (23%), followed by Iran (16%), Quatar (12%), the United States (6%) and Turkmenistan (5%).

Russia hosted the World Cup in 2018, Qatar in 2022 and the United States will be joint hosts with Canada and Mexico in 2026, both of whom are no slouches when it comes to oil and gas reserves

So, with the 2030 and 2034 World Cups still up for grabs, will we see an Iranian bid... or possibly one from Turkmenistan?

It might depend on what happens with the energy transition.

As the world moves away from fossil fuels, who are the are the next winners of the natural resource lottery?

Take lithium for example, which is an essential component in batteries.

According to 7iM and the US Geological Survey 2022, the top five countries in the world in terms of global reserves of lithium, are: Chile (42%), Australia (26%), Argentina (10%), China (7%) and the US (3%)

Anyone for a World Cup in Chile in 2030?