By By Payraw Anwar
Foreign policy is a central pillar of political science. In its simplest form, it can be understood as an extension of domestic politics. No state—or non-state actor—operates in isolation; diplomacy is unavoidable. When non-state actors engage internationally, their activities are often described as para-diplomacy.
Broadly speaking, foreign policy refers to the actions, decisions, and communications through which a political entity manages its relations with other actors, including states, international organizations, and external groups. While hard power remains important, modern diplomacy increasingly relies on soft power—the ability to attract, persuade, and shape perceptions. After all, foreign policy is ultimately shaped by people, not just borders. Decisions are influenced by interactions between leaders, domestic dynamics, and the wider international environment.
This raises an important question: how does the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) engage diplomatically with the international community? Beyond traditional political channels, the Kurdistan Region has gradually utilized soft power instruments, among which sport diplomacy has emerged as a notable example.
In 2025, FIFA announced that the fans of Zakho Football Club had won the FIFA Fan Award for their donation campaign supporting children with cancer. While symbolic on the surface, this achievement carries deep diplomatic significance for the Kurdistan Region as a non-state actor in the Middle East. One of the core objectives of diplomacy is the promotion of values and identity—and sport provides a powerful platform to do so.
Sport diplomacy offers the Kurdistan Region a unique opportunity to project a positive image and foster collective identity. The FIFA award granted to Zakho fans is meaningful not only for the people of the Kurdistan Region but also for Kurds around the world. Though rooted in football, the recognition carries political and diplomatic weight, particularly in its ability to unite Kurds globally around a shared moment of pride and humanity.
Historically, Kurds have often been identified internationally as “good fighters,” especially during periods of national liberation struggle. Today, however, a different image is emerging—that of passionate, compassionate, and responsible sports supporters. This transformation reflects broader values of fraternity, coexistence, sportsmanship, and peaceful engagement. It also signals the Kurdistan Region’s aspiration to communicate with the world through non-violent and inclusive means.
Ultimately, diplomacy functions as the oxygen that enables political actors to protect their interests and assert their presence internationally. For a non-state actor like the Kurdistan Region, diplomacy is not merely important—it is essential. Among the various diplomatic tools available, sport diplomacy stands out as an effective and accessible mechanism to reach global audiences, articulate identity, and build strategic relationships.
Sport diplomacy does more than connect governments; it connects people. It builds bridges between the Kurdistan Region and other societies, strengthens people-to-people ties, and helps answer fundamental questions: Who are we? What do we represent? And how do we engage with the world?