P Series 8 | Beyond the Field: How Sports Shape International Relations

In 2026, Houston will stand at the center of the global sports universe, hosting the FIFA World Cup. But behind every spectacular goal,  and every roaring crowd, lies a sophisticated world of international diplomacy that most fans never see.

At this unprecedented look behind the scenes of global sports diplomacy, you’ll discover how nations compete not just on fields and courts, but in boardrooms and diplomatic circles to earn the right to host the world’s most prestigious sporting events.

What Happens Before Kick-off?

From the Olympics to the World Cup, major sporting events represent far more than athletic competition, they’re exercises in soft power diplomacy that can reshape a city’s international profile for generations. Our distinguished speakers will pull back the curtain on the complex world of:

• The Bidding Wars: How cities compete for years, sometimes decades, to win the right to host major sporting events, navigating political alliances, economic commitments, and diplomatic relationships that span continents.
• Beyond Infrastructure: What it really takes to be selected as a host city. It’s not just stadiums and hotels. Discover the intricate web of governmental coordination, security arrangements, international partnerships, and diplomatic protocols. 
• The Diplomatic Playbook: How sports events become vehicles for international relations, economic partnerships, and cultural exchange that extend far beyond the final whistle or last out.
• Houston’s Winning Strategy: Learn the insider story of how Houston successfully positioned itself to host both the 2026 World Baseball Classic and the FIFA World —two victories that required years of strategic relationship-building and diplomatic maneuvering.

Featured Speaker: Chris Canetti

Chris Canetti is the President of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Bid Committee and Host Organizing Committee. A veteran sports executive with over 30 years of experience, he previously served as President of the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash, where he was instrumental in building Houston’s profile as a global sports city. Under his leadership, Houston secured its role as a host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, one of the largest sporting events in the world.

Featured Speaker: Ambassador John Hennessey-Niland

Ambassador Hennessey-Niland was the Director of Inter-Governmental Affairs for the 1994 USA World Cup Organizing Committee.  In this role he worked closely with FIFA, U.S. Soccer, the Federal government and state and local authorities as well as with the governments and national federations of the participating teams in the run-up and execution of the first world cup ever held in America.  He subsequently assisted U.S. Soccer at the 1998 World Cup in France and at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1999 in the U.S.  He is a UEFA qualified “B” license Coach, previously coached Texas A&M”s men’s soccer club, and continues to play when he has time

Featured Speaker: Angela Hucles Mangano

Angela Hucles Mangano is the President of Women’s Soccer for the Houston Dash. She serves as the Chief Soccer Officer for the team and brings nearly four decades of experience in the sports industry as an executive, motivational speaker and athlete.

Hucles Mangano is also two-time Olympic gold medal winner with the U.S. Women’s National Team and appeared in more than 100 matches for the United States. She spent nine seasons in Boston playing for the Boston Breakers, both in the WUSA and WPS professional soccer leagues, and Boston Renegades.

Following her retirement from professional soccer, the Virginia Beach, Virginia native also spent time as a commentator for ESPN, NBC and FOX during their coverage of international events like the Olympic Games and FIFA Women’s World Cup. She also served on the board of non-profit organizations like You Can Play, which is dedicated to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ+ athletes, coaches and fans, and was a Regional Director at Up2Us.