Washington, June 03 (QNA) - The legacy of Qatar's hosting of major sporting events took center stage at the Sports Diplomacy Summit, organized by Foreign Policy Magazine at the Embassy of Qatar in Washington, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the approaching kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Speaking during a panel, Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee of football events Jassim Abdulaziz Al Jassim highlighted the lasting legacy of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which showcased Arab culture, hospitality, and operational excellence on the global stage while reinforcing Qatar's position as a leading sports destination.

Al Jassim said hosting the tournament served as a catalyst for building long-term national capabilities, creating an integrated event-hosting ecosystem, and developing a new generation of expertise.

He noted that Qatar continues to benefit from the infrastructure, partnerships, and international relationships established through the tournament.

He also emphasized the cultural impact of major sporting events, noting that sport is one of the few universal languages capable of bringing people together and providing countries with an opportunity to tell their stories beyond politics, geography, and cultural differences.

Since hosting the first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East, Qatar has continued to strengthen its sporting legacy through major international events, including the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and three FIFA tournaments scheduled for 2025: the FIFA U-17 World Cup, the FIFA Intercontinental Cup, and the FIFA Arab Cup.

Looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup, Al Jassim reaffirmed Qatar's commitment to sharing its expertise and supporting international cooperation.

He revealed that a team of Qatari experts who played key roles in organizing major tournaments has been deployed across several host cities in the United States and Canada to support preparations for the tournament under a knowledge-exchange agreement between Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy and FIFA.

A second group of officials from the Supreme Committee and partner organizations will also participate in an observation and monitoring program during the tournament to gain further insights into organizing large-scale, multi-country sporting events.

Al Jassim noted that every World Cup leaves its own mark on football and the wider world, adding that while Qatar 2022 represented a historic milestone for the Middle East and the Arab world, the 2026 edition will carry its own unique historical significance.

For his part, HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States Sheikh Mishal bin Hamad Al-Thani said Qatar's journey in hosting major sporting events did not end with the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

He stressed that the expertise and partnerships developed through the tournament continue to support the global sports community, including preparations for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

He added that Qatar is proud to see its tournament-hosting legacy helping shape the next chapter in World Cup history, noting that hosting the summit reflects the country's continued commitment to promoting international dialogue through sport.

The summit brought together senior leaders and decision-makers from government, diplomacy, media, and investment sectors to discuss the growing role of sport as a tool for international cooperation and economic development. (QNA)