Douglas County proclaims welcome for Algerian national football team

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 25 adopted a proclamation welcoming the Algerian national football team to the community as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup activities. Commissioner Anderson read the proclamation, which thanked regional partners — Explore Lawrence, the City of Lawrence, the University of Kansas and the Lawrence Chamber — and pledged coordinated hospitality, safety and cultural-exchange programming.

Ruth DeWitt of Explore Lawrence accepted the proclamation on behalf of the volunteer organizing team, described a roughly 80–90-person volunteer effort to support visiting athletes, and offered limited-edition Lawrence 2026 scarves as a token of thanks. The proclamation was signed at the meeting and staff arranged for a group photo; one commissioner who was absent will sign afterward.