Jihadist interest in striking World Cup in Russia
Islamic State (IS) released a mocked-up image via encrypted messaging channel Telegram on 16 May showing its fighters preparing to behead footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be held in Russia. A second fabricated image depicted an explosion at Moscow’s Luzhniki stadium, the event’s main venue. IS and its supporters have issued numerous similar threats in recent months, for instance releasing an image showing the execution of Messi on 20 March. The tournament will take place at twelve venues in eleven Russian cities between 14 June and 15 July.
Jihadist groups have often sought to stage or inspire attacks during international sporting tournaments to capitalise on the events’ global media coverage and thereby maximise the propaganda impact of any violence. For instance, al-Qaeda called on its supporters to carry out attacks during the 2010 World Cup, which was held in South Africa. The group failed to attack the tournament directly, but Somali jihadist group, al-Shabab, which later pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, conducted suicide bombings against crowds watching the final in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, killing 74 people. IS supporters’ depiction of famous footballers in their recent propaganda, which has succeeded in generating substantial media coverage, indicates jihadists’ continuing desire to use the World Cup to raise their profile.