Newsroom

Harris County, TX, June 18, 2026, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo continued strengthening Harris County’s international ties during a meeting with Jose Aguiar-Branco, the President of the Portuguese Parliament, at a reception hosted by Honorary Consul General Jose Ivo after Portugal’s World Cup match in Houston yesterday.

President Aguiar-Branco and Judge Hidalgo discussed strengthening international partnerships, as well as advancing tourism and economic collaboration. Their conversation continued strengthening Harris County and Portugal’s economic relationship, building on the work that Judge Hidalgo started on during Harris County’s trade mission to Lisbon earlier this year.

“It was an honor to meet with President Aguiar-Branco and continue building Harris County’s relationship with Portugal. It became clear during Harris County’s trade mission to Lisbon earlier this year that our regions have so much to offer each other and so much to learn from each other. I can’t wait to continue building our relationship and welcome Portugal back to Harris County soon for their second match here next week,” said Judge Hidalgo.

Also at the meeting were:

• Margarida Balseiro Lopes, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport for Portugal
• H.E. Francisco Duarte Lopes, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States
• Jose Ivo, Honorary Consul General of Portugal in Houston
• Kai Hennig, Consul General of Germany in Houston
• Marty McVey, Chief of Staff, Consular Corps of Houston
• Scott Alexander, the Director of International Relations for Houston Airports and Željka Momirovic, the Director of Air Service Development for Houston Airports
• Sandija Bayot, the Chief Development Officer for USA-World Affairs Council of Greater Houston
• Jorge Franz, Senior Vice President, Tourism, and Industry, Houston First Corporation
• Renowned soccer players Pepe and Luís Filipe Madeira Caeiro Figo

Portugal will play two matches total in Houston during the World Cup, which are particularly significant as some of the last matches of famous footballer Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career and the first time in over 60 years that Portugal has played two World Cup matches in one country.

During her trade mission to Lisbon in March, Judge Hidalgo visited the Portuguese national team headquarters in Lisbon, where the delegation met with Portuguese Head Coach Roberto Martinez. The delegation also met with António Martins da Costa, President, American Chamber (AMCHAM Portugal), Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas and Ana Gattini, the Municipal Director of Economy and Innovation with the Lisbon City Council, Secretary of State for Tourism Pedro Machado, Secretary of State for Sport Pedro Dias, Administrator for the World Portuguese Network Luís Álvaro Campos Ferreira, and renowned Portuguese footballer Pepe.

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