When global diplomacy is done, it's time for American football
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Britain's Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chair of the African Union Executive Council Edouard Bizimana and others attend the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Megan Varner/Pool Photo via AP)
ATLANTA (AP) — Order of operations: foreign policy, then football.
Fresh from chairing a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 20 wealthiest nations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio planned to host his foreign minister counterparts on Saturday afternoon at a quintessential American sporting event.
Rubio and a number of his colleagues were expected to attend Saturday’s college football game between Southeastern Conference rivals Florida and Georgia, which shifted to Atlanta from the usual neutral venue in Jacksonville, Florida, due to stadium renovations.
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When global diplomacy is done, it's time for American football
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Britain's Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, Poland's Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chair of the African Union Executive Council Edouard Bizimana and others attend the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Atlanta, Friday, Oct. 30, 2026. (Megan Varner/Pool Photo via AP)
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By MATTHEW LEE
ATLANTA (AP) — Order of operations: foreign policy, then football.
Fresh from chairing a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 20 wealthiest nations, Secretary of State Marco Rubio planned to host his foreign minister counterparts on Saturday afternoon at a quintessential American sporting event.
Rubio and a number of his colleagues were expected to attend Saturday’s college football game between Southeastern Conference rivals Florida and Georgia, which shifted to Atlanta from the usual neutral venue in Jacksonville, Florida, due to stadium renovations.
It was not clear which ministers might attend what has been called the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” due the large, boisterous crowds that the matchup attracts. U.S. officials say plenty of them have expressed interest in accompanying Rubio.
Georgia is ranked No. 3 in the country and heavily favored. Florida, where Rubio’s son, Anthony, plays, is No. 17.
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