On Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center will host a timely discussion on the lessons and legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the historic tournament comes to a close. This conversation will reflect on the lasting impact of the tournament co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States and look ahead to the opportunities and responsibilities that accompany the next World Cup.
Featuring the ambassadors of the 2030 FIFA World Cup co-host nations—Morocco, Portugal, and Spain—along with German World Cup player Antonio Rüdiger, this unique discussion will examine how future host countries can build on the successes and lessons of the 2026 tournament. As global attention shifts toward 2030, speakers will explore how sports can serve as a powerful platform for diplomacy, development, and international cooperation.
The special event is part of the Atlantic Council’s Power of Sports initiative, which leverages major global events to advance diplomacy and development during the broader US “decade of sports,” as the country hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 2028 Summer Olympics, and the 2034 Winter Olympics.
New policy: In-person attendees will be required to show photo ID upon arrival, and no on-site registration will be permitted. Guests will not be admitted later than twenty minutes after the event’s start time.
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Welcome remarks
Frederick Kempe
President and CEO,
Atlantic Council
Speakers
H.E. Youssef Amrani
Ambassador to the United States,
Kingdom of Morocco
H.E. Francisco Duarte Lopes
Ambassador to the United States,
Portuguese Republic
H.E. Ángeles Moreno Bau
Ambassador to the United States,
Kingdom of Spain
Antonio Rüdiger
Board Chair,
Antonio Rüdiger Foundation
Moderated by
Rama Yade
Senior Director, Africa Center;
Senior Fellow, Europe Center,
Atlantic Council
Agenda
10:00–10:05 a.m. | Welcome remarks
Featuring
Frederick Kempe
President and CEO,
Atlantic Council
10:05–10:15 a.m. | Keynote speaker
10:15–11:00 a.m. | Panel discussion
Speakers
H.E. Youssef Amrani
Ambassador to the United States,
Kingdom of Morocco
H.E. Francisco Duarte Lopes
Ambassador to the United States,
Portuguese Republic
H.E. Ángeles Moreno Bau
Ambassador to the United States,
Kingdom of Spain
Moderated by
Rama Yade
Senior Director, Africa Center;
Senior Fellow, Europe Center,
Atlantic Council
Explore the program
The Africa Center works to promote dynamic geopolitical partnerships with African states and to redirect US and European policy priorities toward strengthening security and bolstering economic growth and prosperity on the continent.
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