Doha, Qatar, December 18, 2022: The President of the Qatar Olympic Committee H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani handed over the ceremonial ball for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to senior government and sports officials of the three countries which will jointly host the next football extravaganza.
Sheikh Joaan handed over the ball to the United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Mexican Football Federation President Yon De Luisa, and Canadian Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra at a ceremony held on Sunday, December 18 before the 2022 Qatar FIFA World Cup Final between Argentina and France.
Also present at the handover ceremony of the official ball was FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 23rd edition of the men’s football World Cup. The tournament which will be jointly hosted by 16 cities in the three North American countries will be expanded to 48 teams from 32. It is the first time that the event will be held across three countries.
Argentina was crowned world champions, later on Sunday, defeating France 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in 120 thrilling minutes.
Lionel Messi, 35, scored two goals to help Argentina win the World Cup for the third time.
