Saudia Airlines has thrown its support behind the 6th Embassy Football Fest, set to kick off this Friday in Dhaka, bringing together 35 foreign missions and international organizations to promote friendship and peace through sports.

The two-day tournament will be inaugurated at the Armed Police Battalion field in Uttara. Secretary (inspector general of missions) of the foreign affairs ministry Dr Md Nazrul Islam is scheduled to open the event on Friday morning, welcoming diplomats and international participants. Md Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Adviser, is expected to attend the closing ceremony on Saturday and present trophies to the champions.

Hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the festival is being organized with logistics and management support from GamePlay Limited as part of broader efforts to advance sports diplomacy. Ambassadors and high commissioners from a wide range of countries are expected to attend throughout the tournament.

Defending champions Saudi Arabian Embassy will return to the pitch following their title-winning performance in the 2024 edition.

The festival will feature 43 matches—27 group-stage games and 16 knockout fixtures—played under a seven-a-side format, with each match consisting of two 10-minute halves. Teams have been drawn into competitive groups reflecting global diversity.

Group A includes Bangladesh, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Turkey, while Group D features the United States, Pakistan and the World Bank. France, Germany, Morocco and Egypt will compete in Group C. Group E comprises the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Italy and the United Kingdom, while Group F includes the World Food Programme (WFP), the Netherlands and India. Group G brings together Canada, Saudi Arabia and the World Health Organization (WHO). Group H features Australia, Nordic countries and Palestine, while Group I includes Japan, Malaysia and Algeria. Participation from United Nations bodies and the European Union underscores the high-profile nature of the event.

As title sponsor, Saudia leads a group of corporate partners supporting the tournament, with hospitality assistance from Bangladeshi hotels to ensure comfort for international guests.