Mr. Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim, Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organising Committee for Football Events in Qatar, participated in the Sports Diplomacy Summit organized by Foreign Policy magazine at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington, D.C. The summit was held in conjunction with the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in North America.

The summit brought together a distinguished group of leaders and decision-makers from government, diplomacy, media, and investment sectors to discuss the growing role of sport as a tool for international cooperation and economic development.

His Excellency Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States, stated: “Qatar’s journey in hosting major sporting events did not end with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. The expertise and partnerships established through that tournament continue to support the global sporting community today, including the ongoing preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ in North America. We are proud that Qatar’s hosting legacy is helping shape the next chapter in World Cup history, and that hosting the Sports Diplomacy Summit reflects our steadfast commitment to promoting international dialogue through sport.”

During a panel entitled “Welcoming the World: Leadership Lessons from Host Nations of Major Events,” Al Jassim highlighted the lasting legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, which showcased Arab culture, hospitality, and operational excellence on the global stage while reinforcing Qatar’s position as a leading sporting destination.

Al Jassim said: “For Qatar, hosting the 2022 World Cup marked the beginning of a long-term national capacity-building journey. We were not building for a single event; we were establishing a comprehensive ecosystem and developing a generation of expertise and talent.”

He added: “Today, we continue to benefit from the infrastructure, expertise, partnerships, and international relationships that were strengthened through the tournament. Equally important is the human legacy, as thousands of individuals acquired new skills and capabilities that continue to contribute to Qatar’s progress and the development of sport globally.”

Al Jassim also addressed the cultural impact of hosting international sporting events, explaining how Qatar’s sporting legacy has brought together fans from around the world and introduced them to the country’s culture, helping to break down stereotypes and foster mutual understanding.

He stated: “Sport is one of the few universal languages understood by everyone. It provides nations with an opportunity to tell their story beyond the boundaries of politics, geography, and culture. Throughout the various events we have hosted, we have seen that audiences respond to authenticity wherever they find it. The most powerful stories are those rooted in people, their values, and their experiences. The World Cup provided us with a platform to showcase our identity and aspirations, and it became a bridge between cultures. For this reason, organizers of major events should focus on this aspect to ensure success.”

Since hosting the first FIFA World Cup™ in the Middle East, Qatar has continued to strengthen its sporting legacy by staging a series of major events, including the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, as well as three FIFA competitions in 2025: the inaugural FIFA U-17 World Cup™ featuring 48 national teams, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup™, and the FIFA Arab Cup™.

Al Jassim said: “At its core, hosting events of this scale is about people. Infrastructure is important, but it is not enough on its own to deliver a World Cup or a continental championship. Success is driven by qualified human capital working in harmony across security, transport, operations, technology, media, hospitality, healthcare, and many other disciplines.”

As global attention turns to the next FIFA World Cup™ in North America, Al Jassim reaffirmed Qatar’s commitment to building on its sporting legacy through knowledge-sharing and international cooperation.

In this context, a dedicated team of Qatari experts who played key roles in organizing some of the country’s most prominent sporting events has been deployed across several host cities in the United States and Canada to support preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. This initiative is being implemented under a memorandum of understanding on knowledge and expertise exchange between the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy and FIFA.

A second group of employees from the Supreme Committee and key partners is also participating in an observation and monitoring programme during the tournament, aimed at providing participants with firsthand insight into the organization of large-scale, cross-border sporting events.

Al Jassim concluded: “Every tournament leaves its own mark on football and on the world. Qatar 2022 represented a historic milestone for the Middle East and the Arab world, while the 2026 edition will carry a different kind of historic significance.”

Later this year, Qatar will once again welcome the world by hosting the second of five consecutive editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup™, scheduled to take place from 19 November to 13 December.