That we live in chaotic times has become such that many look to sports for relief. Yet this summer’s World Cup, the biggest commercial sporting event ever, is not immune from the rough tides of events.

The high profile football World Cup organized by the Zürich-based ‘Fédération Internationale de Football Associaton’ has global attention well beyond sports. Mega-events like this face huge challenges (soaring costs for host cities, security, transportation, policing, potential team boycotts, issues of affordability & access for attendees: high ticket/ hotel prices, visa policies affecting fan/team member cross-border entry), and also offer enormous benefits.

From June 11 to July 19, 2026, the biggest tournament in FIFA history will take place, bringing together 48 countries for 104 games across 16 cities. Canada will host 13 matches, in Toronto (Matches June 12, 17, 20, 23 & the July 2 knockout game) and Vancouver (Matches June 13, 18, 21, 24, 26, July 2 & July 7).

Soccer has a long history in Canada (the Canadian Soccer Association, the governing body for soccer in Canada was founded in 1912) and is now the largest and fastest growing sport in the country due to its unmatched accessibility and simple rules. Especially with Canada’s ever more diverse, multinational nature, we can benefit from the unifying power of closely watched events like the World Cup, fostering national pride and bring together billions of people.

On May 20, we will address how host cities can leverage sports diplomacy to cultivate international partnerships, engage diverse communities and leave lasting local legacies (for example, could the 2026 World Cup kick-start a “Toronto Montreal 2038” Canadian Olympic bid?..).

PANELISTS

H.E. Alessandro Cattaneo, Ambassador of Italy to Canada

Soccer is one of the strong ties between our countries and a real ‘Sports diplomacy’ asset.

A career diplomat, the Ambassador joined the Italian foreign service in 1998. Previously served as the Deputy Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Council of Ministers (2023), and held significant posts at NATO in Brussels and the Embassy of Italy in Washington.

Law graduate of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan. His son plays soccer in Ottawa for the Nepean Hotspurs Club.

Italy has had one of the most successful national teams in international competitions, having won four World Cup titles.

Daniel Stockemer, Professor and Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies, University of Ottawa

Daniel Stockemer is Full Professor in the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, and Konrad Adenauer Research Chair in Empirical Democracy Studies. His research covers populism, democratic backsliding and recently football and politics. After the FIFA World Cup, Daniel will finalize an edited volume entitled: The Politics of the 2026 Football World Cup.

MODERATOR

Jordan Meimei Weston, President, Harvard Club of Ottawa

Jordan (Meimei) Weston is a Harvard College graduate and Director of Parliamentary and Legislative Affairs on Parliament Hill. She is the founder of Conservative Women in Politics and President of the Harvard Ottawa Alumni Club. Her international experience spans research in Norway on energy policy, women’s empowerment work in Senegal, teaching in rural Vietnam, studying in Taiwan, and youth mentorship in Boston. A former Ottawa competitive soccer player, Harvard varsity rower, Team Canada track athlete at the 2017 Youth Commonwealth Games, and currently training for the Ottawa Ironman, she is passionate about physical activity, international affairs, public service, and leadership.