New York, USA: The Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations HE Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif Al-Thani hosted a high-level reception under the theme 'From FIFA World Cup 2022 to FIFA World Cup 2026: A Legacy in Motion' at the UN headquarters in New York, on the occasion of World Football Day.
The reception showcased the importance and legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the first World Cup hosted by an Arab country and the Middle East region, and focused on how the State of Qatar succeeded in harnessing the power of sport to unite people and countries across cultures and continents.
As the international community looks forward to the FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, the reception also provided an opportunity to highlight the growing role of football as a platform for economic development, youth empowerment, and enhanced multilateral cooperation.
High-ranking figures participated in the reception, most notably Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN HE Mike Waltz, President of FIFA Gianni Infantino, HE Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) HE Hassan bin Abdullah Al Thawadi, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 HE Andrew Giuliani, Coordinator of the Mexican Federal Government for the FIFA World Cup 2026 HE Gabriela Cuevas, and Canada's Minister of State for Sport and Personal Representative for the FIFA World Cup 2026 HE Adam van Koeverden, in addition to the broad participation of Their Excellencies the Permanent Representatives of member states to the UN, and senior UN officials.
In her welcoming speech, Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN stressed that the World Cup embodies the values that make football a global means of uniting people and promoting human understanding, pointing out that the State of Qatar’s hosting of the World Cup 2022, as the first tournament held in the Middle East and the Arab world, constituted a historic milestone that strengthened dialogue between cultures and established a new concept for hosting major sporting events through a sustainable and interconnected model based on innovation, ease of access, and long-term impact.
Her Excellency added that the tournament provided a platform that brought together people from different races, cultures and religions to celebrate common human values. She cited HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, who said at the conclusion of the tournament that Qatar fulfilled its promise to organize an exceptional tournament from the Arab countries, which provided the opportunity for the peoples of the world to learn about the richness of our culture and the authenticity of our values.
For his part, SC Managing Director stressed in his speech that the true legacy of the World Cup Qatar 2022 extended beyond the tournament itself, noting that the tournament constituted a historical moment that brought the world together for the first time in the heart of the Arab region, and demonstrated beyond doubt the unique power of football in building bridges between cultures, challenging stereotypes, and uniting people within the framework of common humanity.
His Excellency added that the true criterion for the success of the World Cup is not the matches that were held, but rather the continuing impact that the tournament has on people’s lives after the final whistle.
HE also explained that the World Cup 2022 contributed to enhancing cultural understanding in a profound way by celebrating differences and shared human values through football, pointing out that one of the most prominent sustainable legacies of the tournament is the human capital, expertise and institutional knowledge that the State of Qatar is proud to share with future host countries and the global football community.
SC Managing Director also expressed Qatar's pride in continuing this legacy in solidarity with the US, Mexico and Canada, further expressing his confidence that the 2026 World Cup will constitute a new chapter in football's contribution to supporting development, dialogue and peace.
In turn, HE US Permanent Representative to the UN indicated that the fans who will come to attend the 2026 World Cup will see the US as it truly is, not only through the stadiums, but also through the workers who built them and are maintaining, securing and operating them.
He added that they will see work teams, small business owners, hotel employees, taxi drivers, restaurant workers and first responders, along with streets, neighborhoods, churches, local restaurants, highways, farms, beaches, mountains and skylines of US cities.
He pointed out that the world will see the US waking up early, working hard, raising the flag, and welcoming guests coming from different parts of the world.
Meanwhile, FIFA President said that World Cup Qatar 2022 was an exceptional event by all standards. He added that it was the best edition ever witnessed, and contributed to consolidating the position of the State of Qatar on the global map in an unprecedented way. He further expressed confidence that the world will witness this effect again in North America in 20 days and will succeed in uniting the world again.
For his part, Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 also highlighted football's exceptional ability to unite people around the world, noting that HE President of the United States of America Donald Trump has established a strong partnership with FIFA to highlight US hospitality and celebrate the spirit of competition.
He added that the World Cup is not just a sports tournament, but rather a symbol of global unity. During these exceptional weeks, and with the US celebrating the 250th anniversary of its founding, fans coming from all over the world will make memories in the largest sporting event in human history.
For her part, Coordinator of the Mexican Federal Government for the FIFA World Cup 2026 expressed her country's pride in hosting the World Cup for the third time in its history, adding that Mexico is ready to welcome the world in a spirit of unity, passion, and a shared vision for the future, which reflects the best of its people and culture, and the power of sport in bringing nations together and strengthening rapprochement between them.
Meanwhile, Canada's Minister of State for Sport and Personal Representative for the FIFA World Cup 2026 pointed out that the tournament constitutes a global celebration that contributes to bringing people and countries closer together. He stressed that at a time when the sustainable legacy of the Qatar 2022 World Cup is being recalled and looking forward to the 2026 edition, Canada is proud to contribute to the continuation of this legacy based on unity, inclusion and cooperation. He added that Canada, in cooperation with its partners, is working to harness the power of sport to strengthen bonds between communities, inspire people, and highlight what can be achieved through joint action.
The high-level reception concluded with a special visual display on the facade of the UN Secretariat building, in a symbolic step that embodies the continuity of the legacy of the World Cup and its contribution to promoting joint progress and international cooperation through the global language of football.
