PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Congressman Brendan Boyle thinks Philadelphia should start planning now for the 2038 World Cup — the next one that could be hosted in the United States.
“Why can’t we host the championship game?” he said, after speaking at a U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) event in Philadelphia. “Frankly, I think Philadelphia did a better job than any other city in hosting the World Cup, and that has been the feedback that I have heard from people I know throughout the world.”
The USGLC promotes American investment in diplomacy and foreign aid as a strategy for economic growth. The event here was called “When America Leads, Philadelphia Wins.” It was very much preaching to the choir.
Mayor Cherelle Parker said the benefits of attracting foreign investment are already clear in Philadelphia, listing global companies with a presence in the city.
“I want you to think about Bonduelle, I want you to think about Hanwa, I want you to think about Rhodes Industries, I want you to think about TerraPower. Different industries, different countries, one decision: Philadelphia,” she said.
She endorsed the idea that World Cup soccer would increase interest.
“They came for soccer, but they stayed for Philadelphia,” she said. “They experienced the warmth of our neighborhoods and the unmistakable warmth of our city.”
Boyle was more somber talking about the overall picture of U.S. leadership on the world stage during a panel discussion.
He compared the current climate to the 1920s U.S., when isolationism led to the events that helped create World War II.
“Out of the World War II experience, we vowed never again would we repeat that mistake,” he said. “We created NATO, we created the World Bank, we created the IMF, and we led the creation of the United Nations. Now, after 80 years, this whole world infrastructure we created is being challenged, and it’s mostly being challenged from within.”
He lauded USGLC’s advocacy for a strong U.S. role on the world stage.
“We need to be more vocal about the benefits of that because God knows the people who demagogue it are being incredibly vocal,” he said, warning that he’s worried the Trump administration would pull out of or weaken the U.S. commitment to NATO.
Boyle is the leading Democrat on the Congressional delegation to NATO and said the alliance is essential for U.S. Security.
He also spoke about the importance of a Ukrainian victory in its war against Russia for European and U.S. security. Ending on an optimistic note, he said such a victory is likely.
“Ukraine on the fly has reinvented warfare through drones. Ukraine is actually winning the war. I’ve never been more optimistic that Ukraine will ultimately win this and it will be the end of Vladimir Putin.”
Mayor Parker and Rep. Boyle talk about Philly’s potential at a meeting of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
Mayor Parker and Rep. Boyle talk about Philly’s potential at a meeting of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
