2nd Edition of the World Youth Forum – FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Edition
Miramar, Florida (United States) | April 15–17, 2026
Miramar, Florida (United States) | April 15–17, 2026 – International Youth Institute.
An international convergence serving youth, sport, and innovation
From April 15 to 17, 2026, the City of Miramar, Florida, established itself as a strategic hub of international youth diplomacy by hosting the second edition of the World Youth Forum – FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Edition, organized by Youth Institute USA under the coordination of Ms. Widline Daniel and the leadership of Mr. Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, President of Youth Institute USA.
In the context of major global sporting competitions, and in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup Mexico, USA, Canada 2026, this edition brought together young leaders, public decision-makers, diplomats, and economic stakeholders around a common ambition: to make sport a structuring lever for peace, international cooperation, and economic development.
Day 1 – An opening with strong diplomatic and institutional impact
The opening ceremony brought together a high-level panel composed of diplomatic representatives, elected officials, and institutional stakeholders, confirming the international dimension of the Forum.
The Forum began with a moment of reflection led by Pastor Kevin McKoy. In a solemn prayer, he recalled: “We are gathered to celebrate youth, the power of sport, and the hope for a better world.”
And called for mobilization for peace and collective responsibility: “Blessed are the peacemakers… may a generation rise to heal nations.”
The opening speech of the forum was delivered by Ms. Maurisia Jeffers, Secretary General of the International Youth Institute (Youth Institute USA). In her capacity as Secretary General, Maurisia Jeffers emphasized the need to structure an international network of young leaders capable of acting concretely within their communities.
The intervention of Her Excellency Seheli Sabrin, Consul General of Bangladesh in Miami, constituted one of the highlights of this opening. She strongly recalled that: “Sport today goes beyond simple competition. It constitutes a bridge between nations, a tool of diplomacy, and a platform for dialogue and cooperation.”
She also highlighted the scale of the global sports economy, emphasizing its role in job creation, the development of trade exchanges, and innovation.
From a resolutely forward-looking perspective, she insisted on the need to build strong international partnerships: “The trajectories of tomorrow cannot be built in an isolated manner. They require cooperation, innovation, and cross-border collaboration.”
The forum also featured a recreational moment with an artistic performance by Ms. Carmella Patterson, a classical dance student at the Miss Marie Poppins Theater and Dance Academy. Her performance created a significant moment of atmosphere and emotional connection and was described by several participants as “one of the highlights of the forum’s opening ceremony.”
Cultural diplomacy and European vision: North Macedonia in the spotlight
The Forum also benefited from the intervention of Dana Klein, Honorary Consul of the Republic of North Macedonia.
In a structured speech deeply rooted in cultural and geopolitical issues, she highlighted the role of sport as a vector for bringing peoples closer together:
“Sport is much more than a physical activity. It is a link between cultural identities, a lever for development, and an instrument of diplomacy.”
She emphasized the capacity of sport to transcend political and cultural boundaries:
“Where politics may divide, the universal language of sport inspires trust, respect, and mutual commitment.”
Her intervention concluded on a strong symbolic note, calling for collective mobilization around youth and the future.
Diplomatic gestures strong in symbolism for international cooperation
One of the notable protocol moments of this first day was the presentation of official gifts by Consul Seheli Sabrin, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh.
These distinctions were presented to:
- Mr. Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, President of the European System of Cooperation
- The Honorable Wayne Messam, Mayor of the City of Miramar
In the same context, the Honorary Consul of North Macedonia, Ms. Dana Klein, proceeded with the presentation of the North Macedonia flag to the City of Miramar. This gesture, imbued with cultural diplomacy, concretely illustrated the strengthening of ties between territories and cultures.
These gestures symbolize a clear determination to strengthen international cooperation around youth, sport, and innovation issues.
Major institutional recognitions
The Forum benefited from several high-level institutional supports. Among these, we note the first speech of the Honorable Wayne Messam, Mayor of the City of Miramar. In his introductory speech, he congratulated the Youth Institute for its commitment to supporting young people in the realization of structuring and inclusive projects. He recalled that Miramar invests significantly in its youth and believes in the potential that young people can bring to the development of the City or the State of Florida.
Institutional Message from Miami-Dade County
The Forum was further honored by an official video message from Daniella Levine Cava, who expressed strong support for this international initiative. In her remarks, she commended the leadership of Youth Institute USA and its President, Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, for their commitment to advancing youth empowerment and global dialogue.
She emphasized Miami-Dade’s role as a global gateway fostering cultural exchange, innovation, and international cooperation. Her message also highlighted the importance of creating tangible opportunities for young people, positioning them at the center of future economic, social, and technological development.
Following this, a video message from the Honorable Daniella Levine Cava, Mayor of Miami-Dade County, was broadcast, accompanied by an official proclamation in recognition of the impact of the Forum.
Presented by Dr. Athena Passera, President of Global Ties Miami, this recognition highlights the strategic role of Florida, and particularly Miami-Dade, as an international platform for exchanges and cooperation.
A Powerful Symbol: Donation of the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Balls
One of the most emblematic moments of the Forum was the official presentation of FIFA World Cup 2026 match balls, donated to Youth Institute USA and its President, Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, by Gianni Infantino. These official “Trionda Pro” match balls were personally signed by the President of FIFA, symbolizing recognition and support for the World Youth Forum initiative. Beyond their symbolic value, these items represent the connection between elite global sport and youth engagement worldwide.
In a spirit of impact and continuity, President Gabriel MVOGO SAINT expressed his intention to further donate these balls to cities, youth organizations, and leadership initiatives, promoting peace, inclusion, and international cooperation through sport.
A strategic masterclass at the heart of global issues
This day of April 15 was also marked by a high-level masterclass bringing together:
Mayor Wayne Messam, Mayor of Miramar
Kaleba H. Ngoie-Kasongo, Founder and CEO of HEAR Congo
David Paz, student panelist
Paola Issac, Director of International Economic Development, Trade, and Protocol for Broward County
Moderator: Athena Passera, Ph.D., President and CEO of Global Ties Miami.
The discussions highlighted several structuring axes:
- the transformation of sporting events into sustainable economic opportunities
- the need for equitable inclusion in access to opportunities
- the central role of youth in the design of public policies
Day 2 – Sport as a tool of active diplomacy
Placed under the special coordination of Mr. Nicolas Jeffrey, President of Island United Miami, the special day dedicated to sport on the field fulfilled all its promises. On April 16, 2026, at the Ansin Sports Complex, the World Youth Forum introduced a major innovation by integrating sport as a direct extension of international dialogue.
A symbolic gala match brought together:
Island United VS Boys & Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade
The kickoff was given by Mr. Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, in a spirit of fraternity and cooperation.
Supervised by the services of the City of Miramar under the authority of Mayor Wayne Messam, the match concluded in a climate of fair play, with a victory for Island United.
Participants were congratulated by Ms. Maurisia Jeffers, before the presentation of honorary distinctions from Youth Institute USA.
J1 & 3: Hackathon: collective intelligence serving the future
Alongside all these activities, the international hackathon led by HIP Global enabled young participants to propose concrete solutions to contemporary challenges:
- sustainability of sports infrastructure
- technological innovation
- community engagement
This work illustrated the ability of youth to transform global challenges into opportunities. This work was carried out under the coordination of Dr. Bianca Pena Gama, Founding President of HIP Global, and under the attentive supervision of Mr. Gabriel Mvogo Saint, President of the Youth Institute, Ms. Widline Daniel, Coordinator of the World Youth Forum USA 2026, and Ms. Maurisia Jeffers, Secretary General of Youth Institute USA. The hackathon work concluded with a competition for which professors from the University of Janeiro served as the jury.
The strategic partner of the Youth Institute, Mr. Eliot Durand, President of Pure Water Factory, awarded several prizes, including cash, to the winners of the WYF 2026 hackathon.
Closing – Leadership, courage, and responsibility
The closing ceremony was marked by the presentation of several certificates as a sign of recognition of the participation of young people, as well as recognition of the commitment of volunteers and strategic partners of the forum. The President of the Youth Institute congratulated and thanked all stakeholders who strongly contributed to the success of this second edition of the World Youth Forum USA 2026. In her closing remarks, Ms. Widline Daniel delivered a strong message:
“The future does not belong to those who wait for opportunities, but to those who have the courage to create them.”
She emphasized a demanding definition of leadership: “Leadership is not measured by titles, but by the impact one has on the lives of others.”
An ecosystem of committed partners
The success of the Forum is based on the commitment of strategic partners, including:
The City of Miramar, Colossal Academy, Global Ties Miami, Island United, UNA Broward Chapter, HIP Global, Precision Executive, Pure Water Factory, as well as Broward County.
We would like to extend our heartfelt congratulations and thanks to all the individuals and organizations that have actively contributed to the revival of this USA 2026 forum. Below are the names of the representatives:
- – Mr. Wayne Messam Mayor of Miramar (Florida)
- – Dr. Alix Desulme, Vice-President of Little Haiti Global
- – Mrs. Motinola Agunbiade ( Colossal Academy )
- –Ms. Widline Daniel VP, Bank of America
- – Ms. Maurisia Jeffers (United Nations Association of the United States of America)
- – Dr. Bianca Gama Pena ( HIP Global & Rio de Janeiro State University)
- – Dr. Athena Passera (Global Ties Miami)
- – Mrs Shiren Rattigan ( Colossal Academy )
- – Mr. Elliot Durant ( Pure Water Factory)
- – Broward County (Office of Economic and Small Business Development )
- – Mr. Jeffrey Nicholas ( Island United )
- – Mrs. Tamara Garcia,
- – Mrs. Wendy Abdulmesih,
- – Mrs. Sultanah Al Edrees,
- – Mrs. Rekha Gupta.
- – Mr. Adam Sachs.
- – Mr. Andrea Giannotta.
What should be retained from this American experience? A sustainable international dynamic.
Through this second edition, the World Youth Forum, FIFA World Cup 2026 Special Edition, confirms its role as a strategic international platform at the crossroads of diplomacy, innovation, and civic engagement.
Under the impetus of Gabriel MVOGO SAINT, this initiative is now part of a global dynamic, opening the way to new perspectives in the lead-up to major international events, notably the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 in Brazil, the Africa Cup of Nations Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya 2027, and the Los Angeles Olympic Games 2028.
