US envoy Burns hails World Cup's role in bringing people together

According to Acting United States Ambassador to Kenya Susan Burns, the tournament is also showcasing the power of sport to bring people together across cultures while fueling the game’s growing popularity in the United States.

Burns said hosting the global tournament alongside Canada and Mexico has introduced football to a wider American audience, with more people embracing the sport than ever before.

“It’s been really exciting to see how Americans are embracing football, or what we would say soccer. We all play it in school and there have been professional teams but now that it’s being hosted in the US, I see a lot more enthusiasm from people who don’t normally follow football,” she said.

The United States, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the FIFA World Cup, the first edition of the tournament to feature three host nations. The competition has drawn thousands of supporters from around the world with sold-out stadiums and vibrant fan zones, becoming a common sight despite early concerns over ticket prices.

Burns added that some of the most memorable moments have happened away from the pitch, where visiting teams and supporters have immersed themselves in local communities.

“The best stories for me are the ones where the teams have gone and in between their games, they’re hanging out in smaller towns and getting to know locals. The locals are bringing out national flags and learning the national anthems of these countries. That’s the best of what sports can do as far as bringing people together. It’s diplomacy,”

She also praised the organisation of the tournament, noting that security has remained stable across the three host countries.

“I was struck that I’d not heard of one security incident across the US, Canada or Mexico since the beginning of the World Cup. Let’s hope that continues.”

Responding to questions on Kenya’s preparations to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania, Burns welcomed the progress being made on sports infrastructure and said close coordination among organisers and security agencies is essential when staging major sporting events.

“I know the stadiums are progressing and that’s great,” she said, “the lessons are really working with police and other security to make sure everybody is out there to have a good time.”

She also disclosed that there are plans involving a US company interested in developing an indoor sports arena in Nairobi adding that discussions are still ongoing. She further pointed to basketball as another area with potential for stronger collaboration, noting the NBA’s continued investment in growing the game across Africa.

Beyond football, Burns praised Kenya’s achievements in athletics, recalling how her mother followed this year’s Boston Marathon and celebrated the success of Kenyan runners after learning more about the country through her diplomatic posting.

The envoy said Kenya and the United States continue to strengthen cooperation in sectors including technology, innovation, health and education. She described Kenya’s young and skilled workforce as well placed to deepen partnerships, particularly in the technology sector.

For Burns, however, the biggest takeaway from the World Cup has been the way football continues to connect people from different backgrounds.

“It’s been a good reminder of what sports can do. Fans from around the world are celebrating together, and it’s a reminder of how we can come together globally to enjoy something like football.”