Islamabad (GNP): A prestigious ceremony lit up the halls of the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, bringing together leading figures from diplomacy, sports, government, and civil society under one roof. The event served as a melting pot of cultures and collaboration, setting the stage for the world’s biggest football spectacle.
The event graced with Federal Minister for Railways, Hanif Abbasi, President of Pakistan Football Federation, Mohsin Gilani, Chairman Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, CEO Lahore Qalandars among other guests in the ceremony.
Addressing the event US Change d’Affaires to Pakistan, Natalia A. Baker said, U.S. Embassy as the world prepares for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In a few short weeks, the world will seem a little smaller as we all share in the highs and lows that the World Cup brings. We are celebrating the unique power of sport to bring communities and nations together – and I understand this is the first ever World Cup launch event that has happened here in Pakistan.
Natalie Baker thanks Mohsin and the Pakistan Football Federation for partnering with us on this event and McDonald’s, Coca Cola, and Forward Sports – all of you for your support here. McDonald’s and Coca Cola, like many American businesses, not only operate here in Pakistan, but they truly invest in Pakistan and Pakistani communities. They contribute by supporting jobs, education, and they help to build lasting commercial ties between our countries and our communities.
U.S. Charge d’Affaires said, I have also been extremely impressed by our partners at Forward Sports and the work they are doing here in Pakistan. He further shared that he had recently visited Sialkot, where he had the opportunity to witness firsthand the operations at the Forward Sports manufacturing facility. It was incredibly exciting to see all the work that is being done right here in Pakistan to make a contribution to this year’s World Cup and many World Cups before this as well.
I saw firsthand the craftsmanship and precision that go into producing world-class footballs. Right now, I would like to share with you a short video on how these balls in Sialkot and how they will make their way into the biggest world stages in world football and into stadiums and football fields filled with fans from every corner of the globe.
Football is the world’s game because it speaks a universal language, one of teamwork, determination, discipline, and hope.
As you all know, the United States, together with Canada and Mexico, will proudly host the next World Cup in 2026 just a few weeks from now. And it’s set to be the largest World Cup in history with 48 national teams participating and that’s more than any World Cup has ever seen before.
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Some ambassadors representing countries playing in the World Cup are represented here tonight, thank you. Millions of fans from around the world will travel to North America to attend matches in 16 host cities. He noted that for the United States, the tournament carries significance beyond sport, serving as a platform to foster international connections and strengthen cultural ties with nations from every corner of the world.
The President reflected on the broader inspiration that the World Cup ignites, particularly among younger generations, encouraging them to strive toward their fullest potential. He added that the tournament embodied the spirit of collective achievement, demonstrating that a united team consistently delivers more than the sum of individual efforts. Whether on a neighborhood pitch in Islamabad or in a packed stadium during at the World Cup, football asks us to dream bigger and to work together.
The United States strongly believes in that power and the power of sports diplomacy. Through exchanges, youth engagement and partnerships like this one, we deepen ties between our countries and create lasting connections between our people.
President Trump emphasized that the 2026 FIFA World Cup represented an extraordinary and rare occasion to present America’s rich culture and national pride to the world, extending a warm welcome to fans from across the globe as the nation simultaneously prepares to mark its 250th anniversary on July 4th.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the start of an “American Decade of Sport.” Between now and 2034, the United States is hosting at least 10 other major international sporting events, including the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. These events will leave us with stronger economies and deeper cultural connections.
We look forward to sharing those experiences with our friends and partners here in Pakistan.
Thank you all for joining in this celebration and in sharing in the World Cup journey.”
