New York, NY — The United Nations Headquarters in New York hosted a high-level event to commemorate #WorldFootballDay 2026, highlighting the extraordinary power of the world’s most popular sport as a tool for uniting nations and promoting the values of tolerance and international cooperation.

The event, along with its subsequent football activities, was jointly organized by Libya and the Group of Friends of Football. It drew a large diplomatic gathering, including the President of the General Assembly, H.E. Annalena Baerbock, and the President of FIFA, Mr. Gianni Infantino, alongside an elite group of football legends and representatives from member state missions.

In his address to the attendees, Ambassador Taher El-Sonni emphasized that football transcends being just a sport, serving as a universal language of hope, patriotism, and belonging. Ambassador El-Sonni pointed to the game’s active role in overcoming political and geographical divisions, building peace, and healing societies during times of crisis. He underscored its unique capacity to bridge divides where politics often falls short.

Furthermore, during his speech, the Permanent Representative presented an initiative to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to formally adopt the concept of “Football Diplomacy” as a tool to bring nations closer together during times of conflict and tension, foster justice, unify peoples, and sustain peace.

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