In June 2026, as North America hosts the FIFA World Cup 26™ and looks ahead to a decade of landmark global sporting events, Foreign Policy will convene a multi-day series of high-level discussions and engagements at the intersection of athletics and international affairs—anchored by a kickoff reception, the Sports Diplomacy Summit, and the Embassy Cup, a friendly series of games bringing together Washington, D.C.’s diplomatic community.
Sports have become a consequential instrument of statecraft. Major competitions now shape national branding, infrastructure strategy, trade flows, security coordination, and geopolitical influence. From strategic conversations to on-the-ground sporting events among Washington’s diplomatic community, policymakers, private leaders, athletes, and innovators will examine how sports can bridge divides, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen international cooperation.
Review our full list of programs below, and request an invitation to join us.
