Lisbon, Portugal, 31 July 2026 – The g7+ will relaunch its annual Peace Cup on 1 August 2026 at the Boa Hora Futebol Clube Sports Complex in Lisbon, marking a renewed chapter for the tournament as a platform for promoting peace, friendship and international solidarity through sport.
Organised in partnership with Sideline Events under the theme “Share Peace Through Sport,” the futsal tournament will bring together 12 teams representing g7+ Member States and countries of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP). The initiative aims to strengthen people-to-people connections and demonstrate how sport can complement diplomacy by fostering mutual understanding across cultures and communities.
The tournament will commence at 9:00 a.m. and conclude with the final match and an awards ceremony. Participating teams will represent Angola, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste, alongside a team representing the CPLP–Military Academy.
The opening ceremony will feature remarks by the Secretary-General of the g7+, Dr. Helder da Costa, followed by a video message from H.E. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste and Eminent Person of the g7+.
In his message, Eminent Person Xanana Gusmão highlights the unique role of sport in bringing people together.
“Sport has an extraordinary power. It has the ability to unite people from different countries, cultures and histories. On the field of play, we learn that respect, trust, teamwork and fair play are values that bring communities closer together and build bridges between peoples.”
Dr. Helder da Costa said the renewed tournament reflects the organisation’s commitment to advancing peace beyond formal diplomatic engagement.
“The Peace Cup represents much more than a futsal competition. It is a space where communities come together, cultures connect and friendships between the g7+ Member States and our CPLP partners are strengthened. It demonstrates that peace is not built only through dialogue between governments, but also through shared experiences that bring people together.”
The renewed Peace Cup reflects the g7+’s commitment to promoting peace and solidarity through community engagement. By bringing together players, diplomats, families and local communities, the tournament seeks to reinforce the longstanding ties between g7+ Member States and their CPLP partners while showcasing sport as a practical tool for inclusion, dialogue and cooperation.
Teams will compete in a group stage followed by knockout matches leading to the championship final. In addition to team trophies, individual awards will recognise the Most Valuable Player, Top Goalscorer and the Fair Play Award.
The g7+ intends to build on the renewed Peace Cup as an annual tradition, expanding its participation and strengthening its role as a platform that connects diplomacy with communities through the universal language of sport.
The g7+ is an intergovernmental organisation of countries affected by conflict and fragility that works to promote peace, stability and sustainable development through solidarity, peer learning and collective advocacy. Through initiatives such as the Peace Cup, the organisation seeks to strengthen cooperation among its Member States and partners while promoting peace beyond traditional diplomatic settings.
ENDS
Media Contact
Ms. Helche Silvester
External Partnership, Media and Communication Manager
Email: Helche.silvester@g7plus.org