Featuring influential voices from across the North American soccer landscape, Beyond Soccer – powered by streetfootballworld explored the opportunities to instigate positive social change provided through the hosting of a World Cup. This exclusive event convened the US soccer industry, business and the media at Foley & Lardner LLP for an evening featuring panels led by some of the biggest names in the game.
Held in partnership with Major League Soccer, the event looked at past and upcoming mega sporting events to assess how the hosting opportunity has triggered social responsibility initiatives -- and what this could mean for North America in 2026.
Speakers:
- KEYNOTE: Renata Simril, President & CEO LA84 Foundation
- Darren Bloch, Senior Advisor to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Director, Mayor’s Office of Strategic Partnerships
- Rita Ricobelli Corradi, Director of Sustainability for the United Bid Committee of Canada, Mexico & United States LLC, for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
- Dwayne De Rosario, CMNT All-Time Leading Scorer & Former MLS MVP
- Mike Geddes, Managing Director, streetfootballworld USA
- Alejandro Hütt, CEO of World Champion Experiences and CSR Advisor to Federación Mexicana de Fútbol Asociación, A.C.
- Lori Lindsey, Former USWNT Member; LGBTQ & Gender Equity Advocate
- Kyle Martino, National Board Chair of Street Soccer USA, Former MLS & USMNT Star and US Soccer Presidential Candidate
- Tim Parker, New York Red Bulls & USMNT Defender
- Ahmed Shamseen, Head of Communications for the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, Qatar 2022, Generation Amazing
Event Program:
- 6:00 PM Networking Reception
- 6:30 PM Introduction
- 6:35 PM NYC Welcome: The City's Opportunity to Make Change Through Sport
- 6:40 PM Keynote: Showcasing Success
Renata Simril will provide an example of how a major sporting event in the US – the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games – provided a platform for a social legacy that is still making a difference today.
- 6:50 PM A Global Perspective
Social legacy experts will provide global perspectives on social impact opportunities from the 2010 through the 2022 World Cups.
- 7:25 PM The Opportunity for North America: Social Legacy From 2026
This athlete interview will explore innovative ideas, approaches and new initiatives that can harness the power of holding a World Cup.
- 8:00 PM Closing Reception
Attendees included leaders from SAP, Morgan Stanley, America SCORES, Club America, the United States Soccer Federation, Citi Bank, Viacom, Street Soccer USA, UNICEF USA, Special Olympics, Human Rights Watch, Wells Fargo, Whistle Sports, the NYC Department of Education, Global Goals World Cup, Nielsen, The Athletic and NYCFC just to name a few.
