Morocco’s ambassador to the United States, Youssef Amrani, held talks in Washington with Andrew Giuliani, Executive Director of the White House Task Force for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the strength of bilateral ties and a shared commitment to delivering major global sporting events.

Appointed by Donald Trump, Giuliani is overseeing preparations for what is expected to be the largest World Cup ever, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026 across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Millions of fans are expected to attend, including a strong presence of Moroccan supporters.

During the meeting, the US official emphasized that cooperation with Morocco is a strategic priority. He praised the Kingdom’s advanced sports infrastructure and its growing global reputation in football development, noting the admiration expressed by Gianni Infantino for Morocco’s model.

The discussions also looked ahead to the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host alongside Spain and Portugal. Both sides expressed their determination to ensure the success of both tournaments through close coordination and knowledge sharing.

The meeting, attended by US Department of Homeland Security official Simon Bland, addressed key operational aspects including security and logistics, as preparations intensify amid unprecedented demand. Around 5 million tickets have already been sold, while total requests have surpassed 500 million since the first sales phase launched by FIFA in January 2026.

For his part, Amrani highlighted the symbolic dimension of the upcoming tournaments, describing them as a reflection of the deep-rooted alliance between Morocco and the United States. He recalled that Morocco was the first country to recognize US independence, as both nations mark the 250th anniversary of their diplomatic relations this year.

He also welcomed ongoing coordination with US authorities, particularly in security matters, noting that Morocco has been designated as a partner in the White House Task Force for the 2026 World Cup. This recognition, he said, underscores international confidence in Morocco’s expertise and its proven ability to host major global events.