On Thursday, July 16, at 10:00 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center hosted a timely discussion on the lessons and legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the historic tournament comes to a close. This conversation reflects 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 Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and German World Cup player Antonio Rüdiger, the discussion explored how future host countries can build on the successes and lessons of the 2026 tournament. As global attention turns to 2030, speakers explored 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.
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
Andrew H. Giuliani
Executive Director,
White House Task Force on the
FIFA World Cup 2026
H.E. Ángeles Moreno Bau
Ambassador to the United States,
Kingdom of Spain
Antonio Rüdiger
Board Chair,
Antonio Rüdiger Foundation
Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair and Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center; Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security,
Atlantic Council
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. | Opening keynote speaker
Featuring
Andrew H. Giuliani
Executive Director,
White House Task Force on the
FIFA World Cup 2026
10:15–10:25 a.m. | Keynote speaker
Featuring
Antonio Rüdiger
Board Chair,
Antonio Rüdiger Foundation
10:25–10:55 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
10:55–11:00 a.m. | Closing remarks
Featuring
Adrienne Arsht
Executive Vice Chair and Founder, Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center; Adrienne Arsht National Security Resilience Initiative, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security,
Atlantic Council
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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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