Distant Neighbors to Strategic Partners: What if the U.S. & Mexico Co-Hosted the 2026 World Cup?

No bilateral relationship has as profound and as many domestic implications as the relations between the United States and Mexico. It is an illuminating case of how intertwined and interdependent foreign policy and domestic policy have become for the two countries. And the public dimension of such diplomatic dynamics is ever more fascinating to observe and challenging to address.

To help us explore the multiple and rich layers of this vital relationship, CPD presented the hypothetical idea of a joint bid by the U.S. and Mexico to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a public diplomacy initiative rooted in the economic, social, political, cultural, and demographic bonds that tie both nations together. CPD posited that such a joint bid could enhance societal and public opinion awareness and co-stakeholdership on both sides of the border.

Launching this conversation, a diverse panel of experts engaged in a creative discussion about what it would mean to the two countries and beyond, from politics and business, to culture and society.

Speakers included:
• Arturo Sarukhan, former Mexican Ambassador to the United States and CPD Distinguished Fellow (2013-14)
• Michael Govan, CEO and Director, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
• Leon Krauze, Journalist and Host, Open Source, Fusion.net
• Jorge Gonzalez, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, and Professor of Economics, Occidental College
• Pamela Starr, Director, U.S.-Mexico Network, Associate Professor (NTT) USC School of International Relations and Public Diplomacy

This event was co-sponsored with the USC Political Student Assembly.