FIFA World Cup 2014 US Presidential Delegation: Obama Absent as 3 Women Named, From Ambassador to Athletes

By Michael Oleaga First Posted: Jun 07, 2014 01:32 PM EDT

With the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament rapidly arriving, the White House announced the presidential delegation representing the United States at the opening ceremony. Notably absent from the delegation is President Barack Obama.

President Obama announced on Friday the presidential delegation to Brazil for the World Cup's opening ceremony. Leading the delegation is Obama's senior adviser, Daniel Pfeiffer. Obama also announced the three members accompanying Pfeiffer, all women with a connection to Brazil.

Liliana Ayalde:

U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Liliana Ayalde is the first member recognized for the presidential delegation. Ayalde was nominated to be Brazil's ambassador on behalf of the Department of State in June 2013. She previously served as U.S. ambassador to Paraguay from 2008 to 2011. Ayalde's Foreign Service career began with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), an organization she served for 24 years including as mission director in Bolivia from 1999 to 2005 and in Colombia between 2005 and 2008.

Ayalde's presence with a presidential delegation has been noted before as she joined to attend the bicentennial celebration of Paraguay's independence in 2011 and the inauguration of Dominican Republic's new president, Danilo Medina, in 2012.

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"I had the privilege to spending some of my formative years in Brazil. the impact of your vibrant country and the spirit of you people have never faded for me. As your country prepares to host the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, I'm excited to reconnect with his deep pride Brazilians have on their National Heritage," Ayalde said in a video about being the country's new ambassador.

Michelle Akers:

For Michelle Akers, she played in the first U.S. Women's National Team's match against Italy in August 1985. At the first-ever Women's World Cup in 1991, Akers delivered 10 goals and gave the U.S. its first Golden Boot Award.

The retired 1991 and 1999 Women's World Cup champion has a connection with Brazil since she faced their soccer team on numerous occasions. Akers was instrumental in delivering the key goal to defeat Brazil at the semifinals of the 1999 World Cup. She is one of two women named to the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest living soccer players selected by Brazilian soccer legend Pelé -- the other woman was fellow American Mia Hamm.

She's been touted as the "greatest women's soccer player in history." Throughout her 15-year career, she's played 9,981 minutes and delivered 105 goals.

Since her retirement, Akers runs the nonprofit Michelle Akers Horse Rescue & Outreach Inc., which cares for abandoned horses and animals.

Gabrielle Reece:

Brazil is known for many tourist destinations, such as their beaches. The third member of the U.S. presidential delegation is considered as one of the greatest women's beach volleyball players of all time. Gabrielle Reece became the face of women's beach volleyball and was named Offensive Player of the Year by the Women's Beach Volleyball League from 1994 to 1995 and led the league in kills for four consecutive seasons since 1993. Reece would help lead her team to win the 1997 Beach Volleyball Championships and competed at the 1999-2000 Olympic Challenge Series. She also became to the first female to design a shoe for Nike.

Outside of the beach volleyball, Reece has been known to model. She was named in Elle magazine's Five Most Beautiful Women in the World. Reece is also an author, produced fitness programs and has television credits, such as NBC's "The Biggest Loser."

Last April, the White House announced Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Brazil for the World Cup and attend the June 16 U.S. national team match against Ghana before meeting with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff and Vice President Michel Temer the next day.

Vice President Biden Speaks at the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour: