On Tuesday, March 10, at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Atlantic Council’s Africa Center will host the first of a series of fireside chats with ambassadors from countries competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The discussion will convene Ambassador of France to the United States Laurent Bili and Ambassador of Côte d’Ivoire to the United States Ibrahima Touré as their national teams prepare for the global stage.
The embassy dialogues series will explore national sports policies, the role of sports in economic and social development, and the growing importance of sports diplomacy as a tool of strategic influence and international partnership. The series is part of the Atlantic Council’s Power of Sports program, which leverages major global events to advance diplomacy and development during the broader US “decade of sports,” as the country prepares to host 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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Speakers
Ambassador Laurent Bili
Ambassador of France to the United States,
French Republic
Ambassador Ibrahima Touré
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire to the United States,
Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
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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