Press
From the opening moments of the FIFA World Cup to spectacular ceremonies, live entertainment and unforgettable stadium experiences, Jennie-Lee's work has contributed to some of the most widely watched sporting events in the world.
This collection brings together selected international media coverage, industry features and perspectives on the events and experiences delivered through the extraordinary collaboration of creative, technical and operational teams.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ — A Tournament of Extraordinary Moments
Opening Ceremony
Mexico City | 11 June 2026
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ opened in Mexico City with a spectacular celebration of music, culture and football, bringing together international artists, traditional Mexican influences and ambitious creative storytelling.
As the first of three opening ceremonies across Mexico, Canada and the United States, the production set the tone for a historic tournament spanning 16 stadiums and 104 matches.
The ceremony was brought to life through the creativity, expertise and collaboration of international artists, creative and production partners, FIFA teams and tournament operations, working together to celebrate the cultural richness of Mexico and the unifying spirit of football.
Read the FIFA feature — Mexico City Opening Ceremony 2026
Stadium Entertainment
Stadiums come to Life - 16 Stadiums | 3 Host Nations | 104 MatchesBeyond the headline ceremonies, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ delivered a stadium entertainment experience across 16 venues in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
From the moment supporters entered the stadiums through to the final whistle, music, entertainment, cultural activations and fan engagement brought energy, identity and atmosphere to every matchday.
The programme brought together international and local talent, creative teams, broadcasters and venue operations to deliver a consistent yet locally distinctive experience across all 104 matches.
At its heart was a shared ambition to celebrate the diversity of the host nations and participating teams, recognising that the atmosphere inside a stadium is as much a part of the World Cup experience as the action on the pitch.
How music, culture and entertainment brought 104 matchdays to life.
“Read the Reuters feature — The Music Behind the World Cup”
Pre-Match Ceremonies
The Moments Before Kick-Off
Before the first whistle, every FIFA World Cup match begins with a moment of anticipation, national pride and unity.
Across 104 matches and 16 stadiums in Canada, Mexico and the United States, the Pre-Match Ceremonies brought together participating nations, match officials, ceremonial flags, national anthems and the traditions that make the FIFA World Cup such a powerful global occasion.
The programme combined ceremonial protocol, cultural representation, broadcast presentation and precise coordination with competition and stadium operations, made possible through the collective efforts of dedicated teams working across three host nations.
While each ceremony lasted only a matter of minutes, the planning, preparation and teamwork behind these moments reflected the extraordinary complexity of delivering a consistent experience across 104 matches.
More than a prelude to the match, these ceremonies celebrated national identity, respect and the unifying spirit of football.
Read the international media coverage — FIFA World Cup 2026 Pre-Match Ceremonies
Closing Ceremony | New York New Jersey
A Celebration Before the Final
As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ reached its extraordinary conclusion, the Closing Ceremony brought together music, culture and celebration ahead of the tournament's final match.
Headlined by global music superstar Post Malone and produced in creative partnership with Balich Wonder Studio, the ceremony celebrated the unforgettable journey across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The production brought together artists, creative and technical partners, broadcasters, FIFA teams and tournament operations, balancing the ambition of a major international performance with the precise requirements of the World Cup Final.
A fitting celebration of the extraordinary people, shared experiences and collective effort that brought the tournament to life.
Read the FIFA media release — World Cup 2026 Closing Ceremony
Halftime Show | New York New Jersey
Inaugural - historical - spectacular
For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, the Final featured a dedicated halftime entertainment production, bringing a new dimension to one of the world's most watched sporting occasions.
Bringing together international artists, creative vision and large-scale live production, the show transformed the stadium into a global entertainment stage within the exceptionally demanding operational window of a World Cup Final.
The production required extraordinary coordination between creative and technical teams, performers, broadcasters, stadium operations and competition officials, balancing the ambition of a major live spectacle with the precision and timing required to protect the sporting event.
A landmark moment in the evolution of World Cup entertainment, the Halftime Show demonstrated what can be achieved when creativity, technical excellence and collaborative determination come together on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Read the FIFA feature — Historic World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show
Trophy & Awards Ceremony | New York New Jersey
The Ultimate Moment of Glory
As the FIFA World Cup 2026™ reached its conclusion, the Trophy & Awards Ceremony provided the defining moment of the tournament — recognising extraordinary sporting achievement and celebrating the crowning of the world champions.
The ceremony brought together players, match officials, FIFA representatives and international dignitaries for the presentation of individual and team awards, culminating in the presentation of the FIFA World Cup Trophy.
Behind these iconic moments was a carefully coordinated operation involving ceremonial protocol, stage and technical production, broadcast, security, competition operations and venue teams, each working within the unique demands of the World Cup Final.
A celebration of sporting excellence, national pride and the extraordinary collective effort required to deliver one of the most recognised moments in international sport.
FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
Women Behind the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
Gulf Times | 9 March 2022To mark International Women's Day, Gulf Times featured women helping deliver the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, highlighting their experiences, leadership and contributions to one of the world's most significant sporting events.
Featured as Director of Ceremonies, Jennie-Lee reflected on the importance of teamwork, equality, mutual respect and the extraordinary international community behind the tournament.
Her contribution celebrated the people who make major events possible and the shared commitment to creating an experience that welcomes and unites the world.
Link to article:
GULF TIMES - 9 March 2022
Selected Quotes from the Media
“The 30-minute opening ceremony amazed the thousands in attendance and billions watching around the globe ... conceived as a joyous and contemporary one-of-a-kind spectacle with an important unifying message.”
- FIFA official press release on the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Opening Ceremony
“A spectacular opening ceremony … set the scene for a truly unforgettable festival watched by a global audience numbering in the billions.”
- FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 retrospective
Dazzling Qatar 2022 opening ceremony wows billions of fans across the globe
The mesmerising opening ceremony for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 showcased local culture and promoted unity, while celebrating our global passion for football.
For the team behind the show at Al Bayt Stadium, it was the culmination of months of planning, rehearsals and hard work.
“It was a dream seeing everything come together so beautifully,” said Shaikha Al Thani, Executive Director, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC). “Our vision was to celebrate different cultures while showcasing Qatari heritage. It was important to pay tribute to what this tournament set out to achieve in the very beginning – which was to bring people together and break down social barriers.”
More than 400 artists took part in the show, which was narrated by Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman and featured K-Pop sensation Jung Kook of Korean supergroup BTS. A host of special guests from Qatar also took part in the ceremony, including Ghanim Al Muftah, Dana and Fahad Al Kubaisi, plus 300 tournament volunteers.
There was also a distinctive contribution from His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and His Highness the Father Amir, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.
The ceremony centred on two suspended bridges in the middle of the pitch to encompass the idea of bridging distances, and began with a cinematic video experience. Qatar and the wider world were explored through the eyes of a whale shark – a native creature that has been a symbolic compass for navigators throughout history.
The eight-act narration culminated with giant jerseys from all 32 participating nations, every mascot in FIFA World Cup history, including the Qatar 2022 version, La’eeb, and a huge inflatable emblem. Conceived as a joyous and contemporary one-of-a-kind spectacle with an important unifying message, the ceremony was produced by Executive Artistic Director, Ahmed Al Baker, CEO of Katara Studios, and Artistic Director, Anghela Alo.
“It was a beautiful show put together by beautiful people,” said Jenni-Lee Van Gelder, the SC’s Director of Ceremonies. “Celebrating different cultures through football is what makes the World Cup special – and with the tournament coming to this part of the world for the first time, we wanted to take the opportunity to deliver something truly special.”
“What made this experience so wonderful is the fact we brought the entire world together to deliver a world-class opening ceremony,” added Van Gelder, who previously worked on similar ceremonies for the Sydney Olympics and Rugby World Cup.
For Nada Al Marrikhi, Ceremonies Operations Senior Officer, one of the most rewarding aspects of working on the project was managing a cast that embodied the spirit of the performance.
“Working day-in, day-out with artists from around the world to celebrate this momentous occasion was such a valuable experience. No matter where people were from, they wholeheartedly believe in the power of football to unite the world and were eager to be part of the ceremony,” said Al Marrikhi.
Early indications suggest billions of fans tuned in to watch the opening ceremony, which got the 29-day tournament off to the perfect start.
“I am extremely proud of the team,” added Al Thani, who has spent a decade working for the SC. “We were able to create something magical that celebrated the entire world, while showcasing the depth and beauty of our culture. The ceremony proved to the world that Qatar is capable of organising mega sporting events while setting new standards for creativity and brilliance.”
Link to article:
QATAR TRIBUNE - 21 November 2022
Spectacular opening ceremony signals the start of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™
The 30-minute opening ceremony amazed the thousands in attendance and billions watching around the globe. Narrated by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman and featuring Jung Kook from Korean supergroup BTS, the ceremony showcased Qatari culture and heritage while highlighting football’s ability to unite people from different countries and cultures. A host of special guests from Qatar took part in the ceremony, including Ghanim Al Muftah, Dana and Fahad Al Kubaisi – and they were joined by hundreds of performers and tournament volunteers. The ceremony featured eight distinct parts, culminating with giant jerseys from all 32 participating nations, every mascot in FIFA World Cup history, including the Qatar 2022 version La’eeb, and a huge inflatable emblem. Conceived as a joyous and contemporary one-of-a-kind spectacle with an important unifying message, the ceremony was produced by Executive Artistic Director, Ahmed Al Baker, CEO of Katara Studios, with support from Creative Director, Marco Balich, and Artistic Director, Anghela Alo.
In his address, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani Amir of the State of Qatar said: “From Qatar, from an Arab country, I welcome everyone to the World Cup 2022. We have worked hard, along with many people, to make it one of the most successful tournaments. We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity. Finally, we have reached the opening day, the day that you have been eagerly waiting for. Starting from this evening, and for a period of twenty-nine days, we will follow, and with us the whole world, God willing, the great football festival, in this spacious ambience for human and civilized communication. People of different races, nationalities, faiths and orientations will gather here in Qatar, and around screens on all continents to share the same exciting moments. How beautiful it is for people to put aside what divides them in order to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together at the same time. I wish all the participating teams a magnificent football performance, high sportsmanship, and a time full of joy, excitement and delight for you all. And let there be days that are inspiring with goodness and hope. I welcome you and good luck to all.”
Link to article:
INSIDE FIFA - 20 November 2022
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