The 2026 FIFA World Cup, cohosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, is shaping up to be the largest ever in terms of participating teams, venues, and scale. As part of the preparations, FIFA and host cities are recruiting a massive volunteer workforce to help deliver the event.
Here are some key features of the volunteer program:
Total volunteer need: ~65,000 across the three countries.
Host cities in the U.S.: 16 host cities across the U.S., together with venues like stadiums, fan zones, airports, hotels, training sites, etc.
Roles/functions: Volunteers will serve in many different capacities:
Stadium operations (guest services, access control, etc.)
Transport / logistics (helping at airports, hotels, innercity transit)
Fan experience, festival / fan zone work, hospitality roles
Media or communications support, possibly language assistance given diverse visitors.
Event support such as opening/closing ceremonies, accreditation, signage, operations behind the scenes.
Eligibility & requirements:
Must be at least 18 years old.
Proficiency in English; other languages often helpful.
Commitment to a number of shifts during the period the tournament is running.
Training, background checks, “Volunteer Team Tryouts” and rolespecific training will take place.
Benefits for volunteers:
Uniforms, meals / refreshment during shifts.
Certificate / recognition items.
Skills and experience: interacting with international visitors, working in large‐scale event operations, possibly language/cultural experiences.
Paid Jobs & Coordinator Roles Related to the Volunteer Program
While most volunteer roles are unpaid, there are paid positions associated with organizing and managing the volunteer program. Some highlights:
Volunteer Operations Manager (FI FA World Cup 2026) — full‐time, responsible for coordinating volunteer recruitment, training, operations across host cities.
Host City Volunteer Coordinator — e.g. Houston Host Committee has a coordinator role to manage ~5,200 volunteers: recruitment, scheduling, training, communications.
Other Coordinator/Lead roles: Each host city needs people to oversee the volunteer centre, manage logistics, ensure volunteer orientation/training, oversee uniform & accreditation distribution etc.
These jobs are more managerial / operational, often requiring past experience, project management skills, ability to coordinate among multiple stakeholders, and sometimes a degree or equivalent experience.
Challenges & Impacts
Volunteering at such a large event comes with both challenges and notable impacts, from the point of view of job‐seeking, community impact, and personal benefit.
Challenges:
- Competition / selection: In many host cities, thousands apply but only a portion are selected. For example, in Houston there were about 9,954 applicants for approximately 5,200 volunteer spots in that city alone.
- Time Commitment: Volunteers are expected to do multiple shifts, often in peak summer, which can conflict with personal schedules. The training and tryout process also demands time well ahead of the tournament.
- Unpaid for many roles: Most volunteer roles are unpaid. The paid positions are higher level coordination / management roles. For volunteers, benefits are non‐monetary (uniform, meals, recognition).
- Logistics and stress: Large events with many stakeholders, high expectations, possible long hours, need for high professionalism in service, crowd control, safety etc.
Impacts / Benefits:
- Skills & experience: Volunteering at world‐class events can build transferable skills: logistics, communication, teamwork, crowd management, hospitality, public service etc.
- Networking: Opportunity to meet a diverse set of people: organizers, international visitors, other volunteers. Can sometimes lead to further paid employment in event management, sports administration, tourism, etc.
- Civic pride / community: Being part of staging a global event. Local volunteers often serve as hosts for visitors, showing their city / country culture.
- Economic multiplier: While volunteers themselves aren’t paid, the volunteer program supports economic activity: paid jobs for coordinators, travel, services, infrastructure in host cities etc. Future Considerations & Recommendations
To maximize the effectiveness and fairness of the volunteer program, and to improve the job & volunteer environment, several points could be considered:
Clear communication of expectations: Shift hours, role duties, training time etc. Volunteers should know well ahead of time what is required.
Fair recognition & incentive structures beyond just certificates: access to event experiences, recognition in media, possible small stipends or per diem in certain cases (though this depends on organizing policies).
Accessibility: Ensuring that individuals with disabilities, non‐native English speakers etc. are considered and provided support (interpretation, reasonable accommodation).
Flexible scheduling: To encourage participation by people who may have jobs, school, family obligations.
Pathways to paid work: Some volunteers may want to move into paid roles; organizations could create pipeline or priority consideration for volunteers to staff later paid positions (e.g. in event coordination, hospitality, tourism).
Conclusion
The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s volunteer registration program in the United States offers a large‐scale opportunity for people to be involved in a historic sporting event. While many roles are unpaid, they provide valuable experience, personal growth, and community engagement. Alongside volunteers, there are paid roles that help manage and support the volunteer framework, offering career opportunities in event operations, coordination, and management. For those interested, applying early, understanding the commitment, and seeing volunteering as more than just service—also as skill and network building—can make it a truly rewarding experience.
