Diane McGraw Launches World Peace Project Initiative

Sports-events industry veteran Diane McGraw has announced the launch of the inaugural World Peace Project in Philadelphia. The event will be staged in June 2026 timed around the World Cup.

The global initiative was inspired by Pope Leo XIV during the Vatican’s Jubilee of Sport in June 2025, where he called on the world to “be missionaries of hope, working to build a culture of solidarity, fraternity, and peace through faith and sports.” Organizers of The World Peace Project will invite students, faith leaders, coaches, administrators, student athletes, sports legends and artists to participate in events and programs through the sports, culture, and music.

“I am so excited to finally see the World Cup come to Philadelphia,” McGraw said. “We were the first city to step up back in ’94, and I know the Philadelphia Host Committee will put on a stellar event. We are excited to have the World Peace Project play a small part in the citywide celebration.”

The event will begin with a World Peace Gala on June 12 in Philadelphia, featuring local celebrity chefs paired with soccer legends, local celebrities, live music and entertainment. The gala will be followed by a World Cup Watch Party to watch the U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Paraguay in the opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The event is also expected to include the Youth Peace Summit hosted by Sport at the Service of Humanity and McGraw Productions. The event will aim to unite youth, faith leaders, coaches and educational administrators to participate in a day of dialogue, inspiration and community-building. Topics for the conference will include the responsible use of AI and social media, conflict resolution, teamwork and global citizenship.

And the initiative will also include youth soccer clinics under the direction of Coach Roberto Ferman, a former member of the NASL’s New York Cosmos (1982) and head of GGG Soccer Academy. Legends for Peace will conduct clinics for local soccer teams and inner-city youth, providing them with the opportunity to participate in the excitement of the World Cup.

McGraw is the founder of McGraw Productions, a sports and entertainment production, management and marketing company based in Philadelphia. She is the former executive director of the Philadelphia Sports Congress who oversaw Philadelphia’s bid to host the 1994 FIFA World Cup. She later served as president of the Orlando Sports Commission, and was on the Orlando World Cup Host Committee. As president/CEO of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, she also helped the group host the CONCACAF Gold Cup at the L.A. Coliseum.