Celebrity Media TCommentator: The Unique Power of Sports Diplomacy：Football, the world’s most influential sport, has long been regarded as a “universal language.” It transcends cultural, linguistic, and political barriers, serving as a bridge for building trust and fostering unity. As highlighted in remarks at the United Nations, football touches more than five billion people globally. Its passion and sense of togetherness go far beyond competition on the pitch.

The Football for Peace organization is founded on this unique value. It treats football not merely as a game but as a powerful social force—an instrument for identity, solidarity, and peacebuilding across nations and communities.

 

From Personal Experience to Global Initiative：The organization’s leader Kash Siddiqi recalled how his mother was forced to flee her homeland decades ago due to conflict, and how football gave him a platform to re-engage with society. This personal experience infused Football for Peace with a deeper humanitarian mission.

Beginning its journey at the United Nations twenty years ago, the organization has since built strong partnerships, particularly with the African Union. Through such collaborations, football has evolved into an effective medium for promoting peace, strengthening communities, and improving lives across the African continent.

Education and Peace: A New Model of Cooperation:The partnership between Football for Peace and the American University’s School of International Service (SIS) has brought an educational perspective to this global initiative. As the school’s dean emphasized: “Peace is not merely the absence of war, but the result of daily actions that positively shape human development.”

Through this collaboration, football ignites passion not only on the field but also within classrooms and communities. Youth are mobilized as “Peace Ambassadors” in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, carrying out tangible initiatives. This model demonstrates how sports, education, and public diplomacy can work together to promote sustainable peace.

"Peace Begins at Our Feet" As Robert Skinner, an official from the United Nations Department of Global Communications, said: "No human activity reaches more people than football — 3.5 billion follow it, and it may well lead them toward unity."

The 2026 World Cup: A Positive Signal: It is worth noting that U.S. President Donald Trump recently voiced strong support for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. He announced that the tournament’s draw ceremony will be held at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and underscored America’s commitment to ensuring the event’s safety and success.

In his remarks, President Trump emphasized that the World Cup should be a stage where fans and players from across the globe come together to share passion, build understanding, and strengthen friendships. This positive message provides a powerful real-world backdrop for the vision of Football for Peace. As one of the world’s largest sporting events, the 2026 World Cup presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase unity, inclusiveness, and dialogue.

Building Unity, Promoting Cooperation:At a time when international relations are increasingly complex, the “soft power” demonstrated by Football for Peace is especially important. It shows that sports can unify societies and serve as a diplomatic bridge. Across Africa and the broader international community, football has proven to be more than just a game—it is a practical tool for advancing peace and understanding.

When this vision aligns with the forthcoming 2026 World Cup, football offers humanity an unprecedented opportunity for global solidarity and cooperation.

Football for Peace Global was established in 2013. Siddiqi was moved by the great work of FIFA and Chilean legend Elias Figueroa and Steve Leighton through Fubol Por Laz Paz in the Americas and inspired by his mother’s journey from East Africa to Great Britain during the reign of President of Uganda Idi Amin. His mother Shamim, facing hardship during the conflict and her own struggle motivated Kashif to bring the Football for Peace initiative on the spirit of what had been achieved in the Americas, to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Far East.

The work of the Football for Peace organization reminds the international community that:

• Peace is realized through concrete actions, not abstract ideals;
• Sports serve as a unique diplomatic tool that transcends borders;
• True peacebuilding often begins at the grassroots level, led by communities and youth.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the world anticipates not only a sporting spectacle but also a cultural and peace-centered celebration. Together with partners around the world, Football for Peace is helping to ensure that football becomes a driving force for global unity and a cornerstone for lasting peace.