Road to the World Cup: Jetr Global Sports' David Francis

Soccer's popularity in the United States has been growing steadily, fueled in part by leagues like Major League Soccer as well as a younger, more diverse fan base. The World Cup could accelerate that growth and cement the sport's place in the American mainstream.

David Francis is a sports executive associated with Jetr Global Sports. His work centers on how audiences are changing, how technology is reshaping the fan experience and how global events such as the Olympics can be transformed into unforgettable, personalized moments.

00:00 - At the intersection of sports, business and government
01:36 - 2026 World Cup: multi-country coordination and visa challenges
04:26 - Risk management and contingency planning in event preparation
05:51 - Sports diplomacy: sports as a platform for dialogue
07:31 - Funding gaps for public engagement programs and inclusivity
09:54 - Event planning cycle and multi-stakeholder coordination
11:24 - Visa complexities for cross-border athlete movement
12:33 - Global inequality: passport disparities as competitive advantage or disadvantage
13:45 - Handling negative narratives and host country preparation strategies
15:31 - World Cup's potential impact on US soccer culture
18:00 - Global football stardom vs US sports icons

#features #fullframe #worldcup2026 #fifaworldcup2026 #worldnow #fifa #cgtn

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