The United States and Canadian embassies in Harare on Friday launched local celebrations for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting the tournament's expanded format and growing sporting ties with Zimbabwe.
The event brought together officials from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) and the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee (ZOC).
Speaking at the launch, U.S. Ambassador Pamela M. Tremont said the 2026 FIFA World Cup would be the largest in the tournament's history, featuring 48 teams and being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
"It has been 32 years since the United States hosted the World Cup and this year's tournament is truly historic," Tremont said.
The United States will host 78 matches, including the tournament's final stages, accounting for about 75% of all games.
Tremont said the World Cup formed part of a broader calendar of major international sporting events scheduled for the United States over the next decade, including the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
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The event, co-hosted by Canadian Ambassador Adler Aristilde, also coincided with activities marking the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations.
Diplomats used the occasion to highlight sporting links between Zimbabwe and North America, particularly ahead of the participation of Zimbabwe's national rugby team, the Sables, in the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup.
Tremont said the tournament, to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Uruguay, would provide another platform for Zimbabwean athletes to compete internationally.
"This demonstrates the strong sporting ties between our nations and Zimbabwe's excellence on the global stage. We're proud to welcome Zimbabwean athletes to America and look forward to cheering on the Sables as they compete," she said.
The launch featured football-themed activities, including trivia contests and penalty shootout challenges, as diplomats sought to build local interest ahead of the month-long tournament.