​Samuel Hymes understands the importance of sports diplomacy at big international events such as the World Cup.Photo courtesy of Samuel HymesThe 2026 FIFA World Cup turned out to be one memorable event, but it was hardly a stand-alone global extravaganza.As it turns out, the quadrennial tournament is positioned to kick off a pivotal decade of international sporting championships in the United States, says strategic advisor and Harvard Fellow Samuel Hymes.He noted that the U.S. faces an unprecedented opportunity, and if the powers that be do the right things, mostly off the playing field, it could go a long way in helping what he calls sports diplomacy.”The recently introduced American Decade of Sports Act reflects a growing recognition that these events should not be treated as isolated spectacles, but as part of a longer national strategy,” Hymes said recently, which he also wrote in a paper looking at the future.Over the next eight years, the U.S. will host several major sporting world championships. Here is the impressive list of events:* 2027 Military World Games (for military sportspeople) in Charlotte, N.C.* 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics in Los Angeles* 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup* 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup* 2034 Winter Olympics and Paralympics in Salt Lake CityA sixth world championship is expected to be added to the list by FIFA at its Extraordinary Congress in Zurich, Switzerland on Nov. 23. The U.S., along with co-hosts Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica, are the lone candidates.METLIFE STADIUM, EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES – 2026/06/16: A giant screen displays the word ‘Attendance 80,545’ during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group I football match between France and Senegal. France won 3-1 over Senegal. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)LightRocket via Getty ImagesThe importance of sports diplomacySports diplomacy, which is essentially soft power, can go a long way in helping a country solidify better relationships with the rest of the world.”That strategy matters because the benefits could be far greater than ticket sales and television ratings,” Hymes stated. “If handled well, this decade of sports could help the country strengthen global relationships, improve public diplomacy, attract investment and tourism, support American business, expand cultural influence, and build people-to-people ties that outlast any single event. In a moment when America’s image abroad is often filtered through political polarization and geopolitical competition, major sporting events offer a different kind of stage—one where competence, openness, and cultural confidence can speak louder than official messaging.”Before this year’s tournament, which was co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the USA, Hymes stated that “the World Cup is one of the few events powerful enough to shape how a nation is seen in real time.” Hymes felt that the 2026 World Cup was a prime example. Due to the exorbitant ticket price controversy that domi