Qatar sees off World Cup criticism to claim diplomatic victory

Qatar fought a "culture war", corruption claims and accusations over rights abuses in hosting the World Cup but experts say the Gulf state has reinforced its image everywhere except parts of Europe.

The emirate went into the tournament under scrutiny for its treatment of foreign workers and LGBTQ people but one of the final images to emerge from the event was Qatar's emir putting a traditional Arab cloak over the shoulders of Argentina star Lionel Messi.

"That is what people will remember," said Carole Gomez, a sports sociology specialist at the University of Lausanne, in Switzerland.

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She highlighted fears over the event's organisation and safety, and condemnation faced by Qatar before the World Cup started.

"The politicisation was not as bad as it could have been and if there were problems they did not get much coverage," Gomez said.

The energy-rich state spent at least $200 billion on infrastructure projects ahead of the World Cup which rights groups claim were built by exploiting low-paid foreign labourers, who faced dangerous working conditions.

Qatar insists it has since made serious reforms to workers' rights.

Its ruler, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, declared at the end of the competition "we have fulfilled our promise to organise an exceptional championship" -- the first in an Arab nation.

As a major global supplier of natural gas and an intermediary in conflict zones such as Afghanistan, Qatar already possessed diplomatic clout but it struggled to gain public recognition.

However, the World Cup has left an impression on the Arab world and beyond.

Images of Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wearing a Qatari scarf on opening day, and