By 
*By Ross Moyo*
The US and Canadian Embassies in Harare have launched celebrations for FIFA World Cup 2026, describing the upcoming tournament as the most expansive in history with 48 teams co-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. For the first time ever, 48 teams will compete. And for the first time, three nations – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – will co-host this incredible tournament,” US Ambassador Pamela M. Tremont said at the launch party in Harare on June 12.
Ambassador Tremont co-hosted the event with Canadian Ambassador Adler Aristilde at the US Embassy in Bluffhill. Guests included officials from the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture, ZIFA, Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, sports federations, athletes, and US exchange programme alumni.
The evening featured football-themed activities including World Cup trivia and shoot-out challenges. The event marked the start of broader commemorations for FIFA World Cup 2026 and America’s 250th anniversary, which the Embassy will mark throughout the year.
Tremont highlighted the scale of US hosting: 75 percent of all matches, 78 games across 11 American cities, including the final four matches of the competition. She said the tournament will showcase American dynamism, world-class hospitality, and sporting excellence on the global stage.
Looking beyond 2026, she pointed to a decade of major sport coming to the US. “FIFA World Cup 2026 is only the beginning,” Tremont said. The United States will host at least 10 major international sporting events through 2034, including the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Zimbabwe’s own sporting profile featured prominently. Tremont noted that the Zimbabwe Sables will travel to the United States for the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup, co-hosted by the US, Canada and Uruguay. “This demonstrates the strong sporting ties between our nations and Zimbabwe’s excellence on the global stage,” she said.
The Ambassador expressed pride in welcoming Zimbabwean athletes to America and said the US looks forward to cheering on the Sables as they compete. The announcement strengthens bilateral sports diplomacy ahead of the World Cup.
The launch party positions Harare as part of the global build-up to 2026. With FIFA expanding the format to 104 matches, the tournament is expected to generate record audiences and new opportunities for partnerships, tourism and youth engagement.
The US Embassy said the World Cup launch is one of many events planned to deepen cultural and sporting ties. “Two Embassies, Three Host Nations, One Beautiful Game” was the theme as diplomats, officials and fans celebrated football’s unifying power.
Comments