New york: HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations 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.
According to Qatar News Agency, 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 HE Permanent Representative of the United States to the UN Mike Waltz, HE President of FIFA Gianni Infantino, HE Managing Director of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) Hassan bin Abdullah Al Thawadi, HE Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Andrew Giuliani, HE Coordinator of the Mexican Federal Government for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Gabriela Cuevas, and HE Canada's Minister of State for Sport and Personal Representative for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Adam van Koeverden, in addition to the broad participation of Their Excellencies the Permanent Representatives o f member states to the UN, and senior UN officials.
In her welcoming speech, HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the UN emphasized that the World Cup embodies the values that make football a global means of uniting people and promoting human understanding. She highlighted 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 culture and the authenticity of values.
HE SC Managing Director noted in his speech that the true legacy of the World Cup Qatar 2022 extended beyond the tournament itself, as it demonstrated the unique power of football in building bridges between cultures, challenging stereotypes, and uniting people within the framework of common humanity. He explained that the World Cup 2022 contributed to enhancing cultural understanding 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 Qatar is proud to share with future host countries and the global football community.
HE US Permanent Representative to the UN highlighted that the fans who will come to attend the 2026 World Cup will see the US as it truly is, through the stadiums and also through the workers who built and maintain them, all contributing to the spirit of the event. HE FIFA President remarked that World Cup Qatar 2022 was an exceptional event and the best edition ever witnessed, consolidating Qatar's position on the global map in an unprecedented way.
HE Executive Director of the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 praised football's ability to unite people globally, noting the strong partnership with FIFA to highlight US hospitality and celebrate the spirit of competition. HE Coordinator of the Mexican Federal Government expressed pride in hosting the World Cup for the third time, ready to welcome the world in a spirit of unity and passion. Meanwhile, HE Canada's Minister of State for Sport emphasized the global celebration that the tournament constitutes, contributing to bringing people and countries closer together.
The high-level reception concluded with a special visual display on the facade of the UN Secretariat building, symbolizing 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.