2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteer Program Guide

How to Join the 2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteer Program

FIFA World Cup 2026 will become a milestone in the history of football because it will be the first time that 48 teams will participate in the competition. With that, three countries the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will simultaneously host the games. Between June 11 and July 19 next year, football fans will experience 39 days of unforgettable action, unprecedented attendances and the biggest volunteer program the FIFA ever concentrated. Thus, the 2026 FIFA World Cup volunteer program is set into motion.

2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteer Program: More Than Just Matches

Through FIFA World Cup 2026, the world can expect not only displaying talents in the sport of football, but also bringing together different cultures, opening up opportunities as well as providing the world with entertainment like nothing they have ever witnessed in any other sport.

65,000 Volunteers Powering the Tournament

FIFA has invited 65,000 volunteers to be the backbone of the 2026 World Cup. Such volunteers will be used in stadiums, airports, hotels, and training grounds. The compensation is not paid but the benefits come in free admission to all matches in North America and an opportunity to make history. The role of volunteers attracted FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who explained that they are the heart, soul and smile of FIFA tournaments.

To the applicants with interest in contributing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup volunteer program, applications will be undertaken at the official FIFA site. The selected participants will have Volunteer Team Tryouts in October 2025, after which they will go through training in March 2026.

Record-Breaking Global Audience

These FIFA World Cup 2026 will likely outdo the records of earlier audiences. FIFA calculates that stadium attendance will be 6.5 million alone, 3.7 million in the U.S., 1.5 million in Mexico, and 1.3 million in Canada. The world will witness billions of people watching. As a reference, the title match of 2022 with Argentina and France attracted 1.42 billion watchers. Infantino called the tournament the 104 Super Bowls in one month.

Why Volunteer FIFA World Cup 2026?

The chance to work as a FIFA World Cup volunteer is an opportunity of a lifetime to be part of the crew of the biggest sporting event in the world. By joining the 2026 FIFA World Cup volunteer program, volunteers can:

Assist with operations, fan relations, and event logistics.
Collaborate with culturally and socially diverse individuals.
Feel like being in the middle of international football. Develop new competencies, connections, and life experiences.

2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteer Program Requirements

It does not require much to volunteer FIFA World Cup 2026, but there are a few to help set the standards:

Availability: Be available at least eight shifts between 11 June and 19 July 2026.
Age: Must be 18 years upon application.
Eligibility: Have entry requirements in the host country.
Language: must be fluent in English; other languages are welcome.
Training: Attend volunteer team tryouts and undergo mandatory training.
Verification: Accept and undergo a background check (in Mexico this may be different).

Areas Volunteers Can Assist In

volunteer fifa world cup 2026 samples — To volunteer FIFA World Cup 2026, you can assist in a few areas. | Source: FIFA

The activities that volunteer FIFA World Cup 2026 fans will assist in include:

Match Operations – helping with stadium operations and events organization.
Fan Engagement – the reception and orientation of visitors at fan zones and venues.
Media & Broadcast – promoting international press attention.
Hospitality and Protocol – making sure guests and officials have an easy time.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteer Program Experience

The role of the volunteers at the FIFA World Cup Games 2026 is not only event personnel but rather a culture and community ambassador. Volunteers are students and pensioners, but all of them love football. According to FIFA, it is true that volunteers are the heartbeat of FIFA events and champions of its host city.

Such feeling is shared by veteran volunteer Craig Collins, who joined the ranks of the FIFA volunteer program as the one-millionth person in April 2025. To him, the opportunity is not football only but an opportunity to give back and give the rest of the world a view into his community.

The Host Nations and Venues of the FIFA 2026 World Cup

It is an enormous stage – 16 host cities in three countries will bring football on a scale never seen before.

United States

Most games will be played in the U.S. and there are 11 confirmed venues. The SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will be a major hub, and will host the opening match of the U.S. team on June 12, as well as the group stage and a quarterfinals. The other host cities are Seattle, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Boston, New York/New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Miami, and the Bay Area.

Mexico

This will be the third time that the 2026 World Cup will be hosted in Mexico. Visiting artists will perform in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. El Tri, having made the quarterfinals in 1970 and 1986, would like to put on another home show.

Canada

Canada, which is an emerging football country will share the matches in Toronto and Vancouver. Following its first qualification since 1986 in 2022, Canada is prepared to demonstrate its development on the football front to the world.

Qualification Highlights for FIFA World Cup Games 2026

The wider 48 team format is leading to more countries fulfilling their aspirations to appear on the world stage. Here are the FIFA World Cup 2026 teams so far (as of October 7, 2025):

Familiar Giants and New Entrants

Argentina: Reigning world champions were first CONMEBOL nation to go through, as they were in good form.
Brazil: Brazil, under Carlo Ancelotti, stretched their unmatched streak of reaching every single world cup.
USA, Mexico and Canada: Automatic qualifiers (hosts), with an eye on further progress.
Japan: automatically qualified without any problems to make their eighth consecutive appearance.
Australia: Secured 1st place in the group after an incredible 2-goals behind comeback over Saudi Arabia.
Uzbekistan and Jordan: These two countries qualified to the FIFA World Cup 2026, a first ever in the history of their nation.
Iran: Defensive powerhouses in pursuit of their first-ever appearance at the knockout phase.
South Korea: World Cup regulars seeking to repeat a semifinal performance of the same legendary 2002.
New Zealand: The champions of Oceania with optimism of outdoing their unbeatable season in 2010.
Colombia: Repeaters who want to reprise their 2014 quarterfinal victory.
Paraguay: Returning after more than 10 years, with a hope of repeating knockout stage performances.
Uruguay: Two-time champions and a mix of experience and youth to lead another deep charge.
Morroco: Semifinalists of years past are determined to make another historic run in the 2026 World Cup.
Tunisia: Strong flank with a mission to reach further than the group phase.

Final Whistle: FIFA World Cup 2026 Will Be Unmissable

FIFA World Cup 2026 promise to shatter all the records that can be imagined attendance, viewership and participation. Whether you look at the 65,000 volunteers who are helping to create the experience, or the millions of fans that have been greeting the stadiums, this tournament is about being together, about pride, and about love of football.