Doha, Qatar: City University Qatar officially inaugurated its new conversation series, CUQ Talks, with a captivating live session titled“Business Off the Pitch” featuring world-renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Held at CUQ's recently opened state-of-the-art Lusail campus, the talk brought together students, faculty, media, and football fans to explore the booming business behind the world's most popular game. The event, moderated by Shaden Wahdan, centered on how football has transformed into a multi-billion-dollar business and covered topics such as covering club ownership, branding, athlete influence, and career opportunities within the sport.

CUQ Talks is designed to bring global voices to Qatar, spark curiosity, and connect the CUQ community with thought leaders across business, culture, and technology. For the live debut, there was no better first guest than Fabrizio Romano, an icon of modern sports journalism.

“CUQ Talks is not just a dialogue, it's a platform to ignite ideas, challenge perspectives, and inspire change. We're honored to launch this series with Fabrizio Romano, whose credibility and reach have helped redefine football media,” said Professor Dr. Faris Gorashi Faris, President of City University Qatar.

During his visit, Fabrizio also attended the match between Al Sadd and Al Rayyan, where he was warmly welcomed by players and fans alike highlighting the deep cultural and emotional connection Qatar shares with the game.“Thank you to CUQ for the invitation and warm welcome. It was a fantastic event and a true pleasure to be part of the first CUQ Talks,” said Fabrizio Romano.

With a powerful start, CUQ Talks is set to continue bringing global conversations to the heart of Qatar.

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