International sports refer to any sport that involves athletes representing two or more countries. These events are typically organized by international governing bodies which oversee their respective sports and set the rules for competitions. Examples of such organizations include FIFA (soccer), FIBA (basketball) and the IOC (Olympic Games).

Modern international sports can be big business for participants, and the competitions themselves can have a wide range of positive and negative effects on society as well. For example, hosting international sporting events can boost a country’s economy, but it also increases the risk that corrupt governments may use the event as an opportunity to exploit local residents. This is particularly problematic in countries that do not have strong anti-corruption laws.

The international community can also use sport as a tool for diplomacy and peacebuilding. For example, the Peace One Day initiative uses football (soccer) matches to bring together communities in conflict zones. Likewise, the Olympic Truce calls for a temporary truce during the Olympics to allow athletes from warring countries to compete without fear of violence. International sports can also help to promote gender equality, healthy living and racial equality through the celebration of inspiring stories and success, building partnerships and advocating for solutions. These goals are supported by the IDSDP 2025 initiative, hosted at UN Headquarters in New York. The IDSDP is a global platform to discuss the complex issues that surround sport, such as social inclusion, youth empowerment, gender equality and health.