Asia-Pacific as a Global Stage: FIFA World Cups and Geopolitical Shifts in the 21st Century

• In Event: Trans-Pacific Entanglements: Geopolitics, Culture, and Diplomacy

Abstract

This presentation explores the Asia-Pacific region’s increasing significance as a host of FIFA World Cups in the 21st century. Focusing on three emblematic tournaments—South Korea-Japan 2002 (men’s), Australia-New Zealand 2023 (women’s), and the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup in Mexico, the United States, and Canada—this study examines how mega sporting events reflect broader geopolitical, cultural, and economic dynamics across the Pacific Rim.

The presentation investigates how nations across the Asia-Pacific have utilized the World Cup as a platform for global visibility, soft power projection, and regional leadership. It considers the role of football in shaping national narratives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and stimulating urban development and technological innovation. Particular attention is given to how these events signal a shift away from traditional Eurocentric sporting centers and reflect the global redistribution of influence in sport and culture.

By analyzing policy strategies, media coverage, and public diplomacy outcomes, this presentation highlights the role of World Cup hosting in redefining international prestige in a multipolar world. Ultimately, it argues that the Asia-Pacific’s involvement in global football tournaments illustrates not only the globalization of the sport but also the strategic use of culture and spectacle to reshape global hierarchies.

Author

• Edith Yazmin Montes Incin, Universidad del Salvador