Aarij S. Wasti

Aarij Wasti is a Toronto-based Gowling WLG partner and member of its Entertainment & Sports Law Group.

He brings more than a decade of experience providing legal support to mega sporting events from bid and host country planning, to operations and implementation, through to wind-up and dissolution. With an event focused legal practice including corporate and regulatory compliance and brand protection-related matters, he provides valuable assistance to bid teams, host nations/cities, event organizers, suppliers and service providers and sponsors alike.

Prior to joining Gowling WLG, Aarij spent more than 14 years working on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022– the last four of which he spent as the Director of Legal & Compliance on the event’s management team and as Company Secretary of FIFA Ticketing Qatar. Other roles on the project included:

• External legal counsel to the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee
• Senior Legal Counsel (Sports & Media) at Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (Qatar)

During his time at Supreme Committee, Aarij managed the legal functions of Qatar 2022 Local Organising Committee LLC (LOC) and legacy projects including: Generation Amazing Foundation (CSR/ ESG), B4Development Foundation (Nudge Unit), Josoor Institute (Knowledge Excellence), Challenge 22 (Innovation Hub) and Worker’s Welfare Program (Human Rights programme focused on migrant workers).

Aarij’s extensive experience with FIFA Qatar spans a wide range of strategic issues including communications, crisis management and investigations. This breadth and depth of event focused experience provides him with unique perspectives and insights.

His other career highlights include serving as counsel on the Doha 2020 Olympic Bid, being elected to the Board of Directors of the American School of Doha and being appointed by the Ambassador of Pakistan in Doha as a Board Member of the Pakistan Business Council – Qatar. The Legal 500 Middle East named Aarij on its GC Powerlist in 2023, 2022 and 2019.

Qualified in Canada, England & Wales and Pakistan, Aarij brings a rich global perspective to his work, helping clients forge strategic connections and make inroads into exciting new markets. Aarij offers legal services in both English and Urdu.