By Staff Reporter
Washington: CEO of the Local Organising Committee for Football Events (LOC) in Qatar Jassim Al Jassim participated in the Foreign Policy Sports Diplomacy Summit held at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington D.C. The high-level gathering brought together government officials, diplomats, media representatives, and investors to discuss sport’s growing influence as a tool for international cooperation and economic development, coinciding with the United States’ 250th anniversary and the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States H E Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani emphasized Qatar’s continued role in global football: “Qatar’s hosting journey did not end with the FIFA World Cup 2022. The expertise and partnerships built through that tournament continue to support the global sporting community, including preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 across North America.”
Speaking on the panel “Welcoming the World: Leadership Lessons From Mega Event Hosts,” Al Jassim reflected on the transformative impact of hosting the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 the first in the Arab world, which showcased regional culture, hospitality, and operational excellence.
“For Qatar, hosting FIFA World Cup 2022 was never the finish line. It was the foundation for building long-term national capabilities. We weren’t building for one event; we were building an ecosystem and a generation of expertise,” said Al Jassim.
He highlighted both the tangible and human legacies of the tournament, noting the development of world-class infrastructure, strengthened international partnerships, and the upskilling of thousands of Qataris who continue to contribute to national and global sports events.
Al Jassim also stressed the cultural significance of such events, describing sport as a “universal language” that helps break stereotypes and foster mutual understanding between nations.
“The most powerful stories are not manufactured; they come from a country’s people, values and lived experiences. The World Cup gave us a platform to showcase who we are as a nation, but also who we aspire to be.”
Since 2022, Qatar has hosted several major tournaments, including the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ and three consecutive FIFA events in 2025: the first-ever 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup, the FIFA Arab Cup, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup. The country is set to host the FIFA U-17 World Cup again from November 19 to December 13, 2026.
As the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, Qatar is actively supporting the event through a knowledge and expertise transfer initiative. A team of Qatari experts who delivered the 2022 tournament has been deployed to several host cities in the United States and Canada under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FIFA. Another group is participating in an observation programme to further enhance understanding of cross-border mega-event delivery.
Al Jassim concluded: “Every tournament leaves its own unique mark on football and on the world. Qatar 2022 was a historic moment for the Middle East and Arab world. FIFA World Cup 2026 will be historic for different reasons.”
For more information on Qatar’s upcoming sporting events, follow @roadtoqatar on social media platforms.
