The main goal of the thesis was to study the effects of politics on major sporting events, on the example of football world cups. First and foremost, the thesis tackled the influence that politics exercised on the selection of host states of football world cups through history. In addition, the thesis was concerned with the effects of the close relationship of politics to football on the society of the host states as a whole. In this regard, we were monitoring what economic and social effects has the organization of the tournament had on the life standard of the citizens and how the politicians used it for their own interests. Consequently the thesis consists of an examination conducted through a historical prism of both international and local political grips and actions. We were also interested in the effect those practices had on football world cups, the results and on the selection of host countries. The main conclusion of the thesis is based on a finding that there are hardly any countries where football is immune to political influence. These patterns can be found in both dictatorships and democracies: in the latter it is more subtle and indirect, meanwhile it is considerably more detectable and direct in the former. The economic ramifications of organising such events were in almost all countries negative, once all the needed investments have been taken into account. In the period of preparations for the event the level of unemployment has fallen, while the number of investments into infrastructure, construction of accommodations, tourism and agriculture has risen. During the tournament itself there is a visible improvement of public services, a rise in quality of public order and the feeling of security amongst the citizens. After the event has finished a rise in costs of living can be noticeable. The main positive after-effects thus consist mainly of stronger sense of national pride and belonging amongst the citizens. As a result there is a stronger inner stability in the state, as well as a more prominent and confident outer image of the country, its promotion in the international community and the fortification of the established regime.
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