New England Patriots offensive tackle Morgan Moses, 76, and tight end Hunter Henry celebrate after the AFC Championship NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on January 25, 2026 in Denver. Ashley Landis/AP Photo
WASHINGTON—The NFL and the U.S. Department of State signed a memorandum of understanding on January 29 establishing a public-private partnership to advance the department’s sports diplomacy efforts.
Under the agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on major sporting events, including international NFL games, the Super Bowl and the debut of flag football at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, according to the State Department.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the League and Sarah Rogers, Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy.
The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs will work with the NFL to support international flag football tournaments, training camps and exchange programs, and to incorporate American football-themed programming into public diplomacy efforts at the U.S. Embassy, the league said in a statement.
“Football has the power to bring people together across borders and backgrounds,” Jeff Miller, NFL executive vice president of communications and policy, said in a statement. “This partnership with the State Department will be invaluable as we work to grow the game around the world.”
Rogers said the agreement will help spread the American-invented sport globally.
“As President Trump has said, football reflects timeless American values of family, freedom, unity and hard work,” she said.
“The Department of State is proud to partner with the National Football League to highlight American excellence through sports diplomacy and grow America’s unique game of football to new audiences, new markets, and new international fans.”
The NFL said it will continue to host football events, clinics and training sessions overseas and provide priority access to players, coaches and program materials in global markets when possible.
The State Department declined to release a copy of the memo in response to a request from The Epoch Times.
As part of the Super Bowl program, the State Department is working with the NFL to host approximately 150 events in more than 65 countries. The league has previously hosted Super Bowl and international game viewing parties at U.S. embassies and consulates.
The NFL currently hosts several international regular season games each year. In the most recent season, seven games were played overseas in Brazil, Ireland, Spain, Great Britain and Germany. Germany hosted matches in Frankfurt, Munich and Berlin, while other countries hosted one match each.
Next season’s international matches will be held in Munich, Germany; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. and Melbourne, Australia. Teams for those games have not yet been selected.
The NFL is not the only sports organization working with the State Department. The department is also facilitating the issuance of visas for overseas teams and fans traveling to the United States for the FIFA World Cup in June.
