Over the past decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has poured billions of dollars into global sport, hugely influencing the governance and growth of football, golf, boxing and tennis.

In 2034, the once closed-off Kingdom will host the world's most-viewed sporting event — the men's FIFA World Cup — all part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's grand plans to modernise the country.

But what is the benefit of sport to Saudi Arabia? And what is sport's role in influencing global politics?

• GUEST: James Montague, journalist and author of Engulfed: How Saudi Arabia Bought Sport, and the World