RIYADH INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES WEEK, 1-5 FEB 2026

World Cup Infrastructure - Delivering Global Ambition

PANEL DISCUSSION 

Moderated by Ankura Senior Sport Advisor Jonny Gray, this panel will explore the hosting arrangements for the upcoming FIFA World Cups, including the ambitious plans for the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. 

Our industry experts will also delve into the challenges that these global events could encounter, including potential disputes, the impact of funding allocation on live projects and strategies for risk mitigation.

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The Panellists 

Jonny Gray

Senior Advisor, Sport
Ankura 

 

Biography

Ben Hughes

Head of Construction Advisory, Middle East
Ankura

 

Biography

Amani Khalifa

Partner, Head of KSA Disputes Practice
Freshfields LLP

 

Biography

Nick De Marco KC

Sports Law Barrister
Blackstone Chambers

 

 

Biography

Alfie Burr

Associate Director – Construction & Infrastructure Assets Division
Howden Insurance Brokers Limited

 

Biography

Ankura is a global services and advisory firm offering tailored solutions to address diverse challenges faced by businesses today.

With a meticulously assembled team of experienced professionals and forward-thinking strategists, Ankura fosters close collaborations with clients, navigating the complexities of their most intricate challenges, and adeptly steering through critical events and unique circumstances.

Construction Advisory - Middle East 

Our global team of more than 200 construction professionals combine deep industry experience, strong credentials, and technical expertise to support clients - including contractors, owners, architects, engineers, insurers, investors, lenders, and their counsel. We deliver expert and advisory services that help avoid, manage, and mitigate execution risks across every stage of the capital project lifecycle.

With extensive experience in the Middle East, our team has delivered some of the region’s most complex and high-profile projects from our offices in Dubai and Riyadh. Operating seamlessly in Arabic and English, we have provided expert testimony before judicial authorities in both languages.

Sports Advisory

Our Sports Advisory team understands the vital intersection of sport, business, and society. We help clients Protect, Create, and Recover Value™ by providing governance and investigation solutions to mitigate reputational risk, applying forensic accounting and due diligence to uncover value in deals and disputes, and delivering geopolitical and infrastructure advisory services to manage risks for major events.

We serve as trusted advisors to leading organisations across the sports sector, helping protect reputation and assets while maximising performance.

A Selection of Ankura Solutions

Global Sports Landscape

Sports Advisory
Brochure 

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Capital Projects Services

Construction Disputes & Advisory Brochure

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Saudi Arabia-Brochure

Saudi Arabia
Brochure

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Ankura Experts at RIDW 2026

Guy Elkington

Senior Managing Director, Construction Disputes, Middle East

 

Contact   Biography

Sean Allen

Managing Director, Construction Disputes, Dubai

 

Contact   Biography

Hamzah Risheq

Managing Director, Construction Disputes, Singapore

 

Contact   Biography

Hiba Al-Abiad 

Director, Construction Disputes, Dubai

 

Contact   Biography

Fawaz Alsudairi

Associate, Risk & Sports Advisory, KSA

 

Contact   Biography

 

How Can Ankura Help?

We are a firm of experts and advisors uniquely built to tackle each challenge or need, and we effectively combine the right expertise into solutions, services and results. We don’t just talk about bringing the best together; we do it.