The purpose of this paper is to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) that a host city can experience to utilize these for future strategy planning and event leveraging. Findings suggest that the strengths lie in having certain infrastructures in place, volunteers, a strong economy and good political standing. Weaknesses stem from a lack of infrastructure, the size of the country, uncertain political and economic stability. Opportunities included the growth of the tourism industry, business developments, and increase in the quality of life, the use of legacies post‐event, and the improvement and development of infrastructures holding a mega-event such as the 2022 FIFA World Cup is a defining moment for Qatar, a country that is in transition, small in size and population, and rich in natural gas reserves. It is a unique opportunity to host a universal event and leave a sustainable positive legacy for the country. This study addresses the intersection between mega sports events and sustainability, to systematically compare and learn from past mega-events and apply that to the case of the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Herein, the challenges, opportunities, and progress are evaluated accordingly, showing that local organizers are applying green technologies and strongly upholding the idea of legacies based on the Qatar National Vision 2030, which envisions sustainable development of the country.