Diane McGraw, president of McGraw Productions, has spent more than three decades championing soccer in Philadelphia. From staging historic U.S. men’s national team matches in the late 1980s to nurturing local talent, her work has laid a foundation that now supports a far‑reaching vision.
When the city learned it would host matches for the 2026 World Cup, McGraw saw an opportunity to amplify her lifelong mission. The tournament’s arrival fulfills a dream she first voiced when Pelé, the Brazilian legend, promised to help bring the global event to Philadelphia and even gave her a four‑leaf clover as a token of good luck.
From Pelé’s Promise to Pope Leo XIV’s Message
This summer, McGraw is turning that dream into action with the World Peace Project, a program that blends sport, education, and dialogue. A free youth soccer clinic will take place on June 11 at the WSFS Bank Sportsplex, where emerging coaches and former professionals will mentor young athletes.
The following day, a U.S. Men’s National Team watch party at Stateside Live will bring fans together for the USA‑Paraguay match from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Proceeds from the event will fund the project’s broader programming, including a Youth Peace Summit slated for the 2026‑27 school year.
The clinic and watch party are just two visible strands of a larger effort inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s call to build unity, faith, and peace through sport. By engaging high school students in technology‑driven discussions on leadership and conflict resolution, the initiative seeks to model responsible AI use on a global stage.
McGraw envisions the World Peace Project as a lasting legacy that outlives the World Cup’s temporary buzz. She hopes the blend of athletic opportunity, community dialogue, and technological literacy will continue to shape young leaders across Philadelphia and beyond.