BAKU, Azerbaijan, June
26. Sport, particularly football, has the unique ability
to bring people together across borders, cultures and languages,
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan
Mark Hernandez said, Trend's correspondent reports from the event.


He made the remarks during the "USA-Türkiye World Cup Watch
Party" hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan in Baku on June
26.


"Thank you for joining us for the breakfast and for what is
showing up to be an exciting World Cup match between the United
States and Türkiye," Hernandez said.


He said it was wonderful to see so many friends from
Azerbaijan's sports community, colleagues and valued embassy
personnel gathered for the event.


"One of the things that makes sport, and particularly football,
such an amazing thing to see is its ability to bring people
together across borders, cultures, and languages," he said.


According to Hernandez, no matter which team people support,
everyone shares a love of competition, teamwork and fair play.


"The World Cup in particular is one of my favorite events of any
sporting event worldwide," he said.


Hernandez recalled watching Roberto Baggio send his penalty over
the crossbar in 1994, backpacking through France while witnessing
Zinedine Zidane lead the hosts to the World Cup title in 1998,
seeing the United States lose to Belgium in a pouring rainstorm in
2014, and watching Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé face off in what
he described as the greatest World Cup final in 2022.







"The common theme of all that is friends, family, experiences,
shared values and goals," he said.


According to Hernandez, the United States is continuing its
decade of sports leading up to major global sporting events while
preparing to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary next
week.


"We are proud to use sport as a platform to strengthen
international connections and people-to-people ties," he said.


Hernandez noted that Baku's designation as the World Capital of
Sports in 2026 demonstrates how sport can inspire young people,
build communities and create opportunities for collaboration.


"Today is a chance to enjoy the game, reconnect with friends,
make new friends, and celebrate the spirit of international sport
that unites us all," he said.


He thanked guests once again for attending the breakfast
gathering and concluded his remarks by wishing everyone an
enjoyable match and cheering on Team USA.