Deutsche Bank, Volkswagen and RWE. The financial powerhouse Qatar has a hand in these large German companies alone. Qatar secures its influence through financial participation or seats on the supervisory boards.

While the whole world is watching Fifa and its connection to Qatar, the involvement of the financial powerhouse in large companies in Germany remains largely under the umbrella. But the Emirate of Qatar has a hand in various large German companies. Investments worth billions – mostly via the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) or its subsidiaries – ensure influence.

Many want to boycott the soccer World Cup in Qatar. In our multimedia story you can read why and what exactly the host country is being accused of and what has happened in the desert state since 2010.