The Global Game: Sport, Governance, and Community in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026 represents a pivotal moment in the globalization of sport, as North America prepares for a tournament of unprecedented scale. This panel investigates the sociopolitical and structural dimensions of hosting a cross-continental mega-event. Panelists will discuss the intersection of international sports diplomacy, the evolution of regional athletic identity, and the challenges inherent in global tournament expansion. By examining the synergy between sports governance, media representation, and local community engagement, the discussion situates the 2026 World Cup within a broader discourse on the role of professional club development and sport in 21st-century global society. Speakers Sophia Cai, White House Reporter, Politico Bruce Revman, Co-Host City Manager, FIFA World Cup 2026 NYNJ Host Committee Irv Smalls Jr., President, FC HARLEM Moderated by Paul C. Hardart, Distinguished Clinical Professor and Director, Entertainment, Media and Technology Program and Academic Director, Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship, NYU Stern School of Business In collaboration with Preston Robert Tisch Institute for Global Sport, NYU School of Professional Studies