The Generation Amazing journey began even before Qatar won the right to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup™. The concept was an integral part of the Qatar 2022 Bid Committee's strategy to demonstrate the time was now for the first FIFA World Cup™ to be held in the Middle East.

Even six years ago, the impact of Generation Amazing was obvious. The images of young children, captivated by the energy and passion of the team behind the bid still resonate today. Last week, after two days in Jordan delivering the latest programme of GA with a man who, himself, has lifted that iconic trophy, Generation Amazing's influence has never been clearer.

The Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC) unveiled Xavi Hernandez as the official ambassador for Generation Amazing on Wednesday, 28 September. By Friday there was a real buzz about the programme, with people fascinated by the story of an F.C. Barcelona legend walking into the Al Baqa'a refugee camp in Jordan – and watching them demonstrate how football is used to improve their community.

Nasser Al Khater, Assistant Secretary General for Tournament Affairs at the SC, was impressed by the presence of Xavi and the impact he had on the youngsters.

He said: "We hoped Xavi would be a good fit for this programme, but I don't think we could have imagined just how well he engaged with the kids.

"He is a global icon, a man who has won everything for Barcelona and for Spain. The measure of this man is how he can walk into a school on a Friday morning and start playing football with a bunch of kids from Jordan he has never met. It was exceptional."

Against the backdrop of the U-17 FIFA Women's World Cup, Xavi was in demand everywhere he went during Generation Amazing's two days in Jordan.

Staying in the same hotel as tournament hosts Jordan and home country Spain, Xavi placed the focus on what this historic event meant to Jordan and the Middle East. Every player wanted a selfie, every fan an autograph. When he finished a pitch-side interview with FIFA before the opening ceremony, Xavi was followed by a sea of noise as he walked round the pitch to the main stand, past thousands of adoring fans. Those scenes were a wonderful by-product to his main task over the two days – engaging with the kids in the Generation Amazing programme.

At the pitch activation in Jordan – carried out in conjunction with the SC's strategic partners Right To Play – he met every ambassador, shaking hands and hearing their stories. He joined in football drills, watching as these young community leaders showcased the skills they had learned through football to one of the most talented midfielders to have played the game.

Buzzing around the action was Isabel Gultresa, Senior Manager for the SC's CSR team, which is responsible for delivering Generation Amazing.

"It was a great two days and ultimately it was the kids who benefited," she said. "They embraced the concept and loved every moment with Xavi. It was great to see.

"We've worked hard to get to this stage but it's only just the beginning. There are a lot of people who need help in this part of the world. We want to use the power of football to try and give them a little bit of what they need.

"Xavi believes in that idea and he believes in Generation Amazing. That's why he became our ambassador."

Eventually the football drills finished. Ultimately Xavi had to go home.

But he and Generation Amazing will be back in Jordan, back in Pakistan, back in Nepal. The programme will go wherever it can, using the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ to demonstrate the power football has to make a difference in people's lives.