US secretary of state, Mr. John F. Kerry, has expressed his wish to see the United States of America (USA) play Brazil in this year’s World Cup but dreaded the idea that the US national team, would have to get past the Black Stars of Ghana, who have already humiliated the US twice in Germany and in South Africa and in addition beat Germany and Portugal.

A task, the US secretary of state without mincing words said, would not be an easy task for the US national team.

Mr. John Kerry was speaking at a ceremony at the State Department last Monday, April 14, 2014 at which the FIFA World Cup was unveiled as part of the activities marking the celebration of United States’ sports Diplomacy. “The power of sports brings people all over the world together” he told the gathering.

Football (soccer), Mr. Kerry said, even though not very popular in the US, he admits this is one event that has the power of capturing the imagination of most young people everywhere across the globe. He said the FIFA world Cup hold the dreams, hopes and aspirations of millions of people around the world.

The Vice-President of the United States, His Excellency Joseph R. Biden said football (soccer) has become the most consequential sport in the world today. It is one sport, Mr. Biden said, that is electrifying in intensity as it’s vibration could be heard and seen all over the world and felt in every home, offices and pups.

This is an exciting time for Brazil and the world in general, he said. The Senior Vice President, Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer of Coca Cola company, Mr. Clyde C. Tuggle, said the FIFA world cup trophy tour is the first U.S. Coca Cola trophy tour and the company was committed to the world cup leaving a legacy for young people around the world.

The Brazilian Vice Minister of Sports, Manuel Rebelo Fernandes, said he was aware many U. S. citizens would be at the world cup judging by the number of tickets given to the U.S. but added that “one team would win the world cup but the party after the event, was for all”, while the Brazilian Ambassador to the U.S., Mauro L. I. Vieira said his country was excited at hosting the FIFA world cup.

Ghana was represented at the celebration by the Acting Head of Mission, Mrs. Amma Twum-Amoah.

Information Section Ghana Embassy Washington