Qatar Extends World Cup Legacy Through Support For FIFA 2026 Hosts

(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 legacy continues to influence global sport, with the country now supporting preparations for the 2026 tournament in North America through knowledge transfer and international co-operation, officials said at a summit in Washington, DC.

Jassim al-Jassim, CEO of Qatar's Local Organising Committee for Football Events (LOC), highlighted the country's enduring contribution to international sport during the Foreign Policy Sports Diplomacy Summit held at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Washington. The event marked the 250th anniversary of the US and the countdown to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The summit brought together leaders from the government, diplomacy, media, and investment sectors to examine sport's growing role in fostering international co-operation, strengthening cultural ties, and driving economic development.

Addressing participants, Qatar's ambassador to the US, Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad al-Thani, said the country's World Cup journey extended well beyond the successful hosting of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 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," he said. "We are proud that Qatar's hosting legacy is contributing to the next chapter of World Cup history."

Speaking on a panel titled "Welcoming the World: Leadership Lessons From Mega Event Hosts", al-Jassim reflected on the lasting impact of the first FIFA World Cup held in the Middle East and Arab world, describing it as a catalyst for long-term national development rather than a one-time event.

"For Qatar, hosting FIFA World Cup 2022 was never the finish line. It was the foundation for building long-term national capabilities," he said. "We weren't building for one event; we were building an ecosystem and a generation of expertise."

Al-Jassim noted that Qatar continues to benefit from the infrastructure, partnerships and international relationships strengthened during the tournament, while emphasising the importance of its human legacy.

"Thousands of people developed new skills and capabilities that continue to contribute to Qatar and to international sport," he said.

He also highlighted the cultural significance of hosting major sporting events, saying the World Cup provided an opportunity to showcase Qatar's identity and values while helping visitors gain a deeper understanding of the region.

"Sport is one of the few truly universal languages," al-Jassim said. "The World Cup gave us a platform to showcase who we are as a nation, but also who we aspire to be. The event became a bridge between cultures and a vehicle for mutual understanding."

Since staging the FIFA World Cup 2022, Qatar has continued to expand its profile as a global sports destination, hosting a series of major international events, including the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023 and several FIFA tournaments.

Al-Jassim said the successful delivery of such events depends not only on infrastructure but also on a highly skilled workforce operating across a wide range of sectors.

"Hosting at this scale is ultimately about people," he said. "What delivers those events are thousands of highly trained people working together across security, transport, operations, technology, media, hospitality and healthcare."

Looking ahead to the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the US, Canada and Mexico, al-Jassim underscored Qatar's commitment to sharing its expertise with future host nations.

Under a memorandum of understanding between FIFA and the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, a team of Qatari experts who played key roles in delivering major tournaments has been deployed to several host cities in the US and Canada to support preparations for the expanded 48-team World Cup. A second group of officials and stakeholders is also participating in an observation programme focused on the management of cross-border mega-events.

"Every tournament leaves its own unique mark on football and on the world," al-Jassim said. "Qatar 2022 was a historic moment for the Middle East and Arab world. FIFA World Cup 2026 will be historic for different reasons."

Qatar's sporting calendar remains busy, with the country set to host the second of five consecutive editions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup from November 19 to December 13, further reinforcing its position as a leading venue for major international sporting events.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Qatar legacy support

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