Requirements to Volunteer
Unfortunately, fans will need to meet a few requirements to be considered for a volunteer position.
All applicants must be at least 18 years old and be available for at least eight shifts between June 11 and July 19. They also must be able to legally attend matches in the host country they are assigned. They will either need to be legal citizens or have a valid passport. This could present challenges for international volunteers, especially considering the United States' crackdown on immigration.
While speaking other languages is a plus, each applicant MUST be fluent in English. They will also be subjected to a background check.
Tryouts and Training
FIFA will also be holding a special tryout and training session for those looking to volunteer, starting in October. The tryout will have volunteers competing against each other to prove who can handle the tasks required. While the details of the tryouts have not been released, they are expected to include physical tests as well as interviews.
While attending, applicants will also be able to get a better idea of what tasks will be required of them if selected.
Volunteers Will Face New Challenges in 2026
FIFA has been smoothly operating the World Cup for almost a century now, but this year will be different. The tournament has expanded to 48 teams, which is a massive jump from the previous total of 32.
More teams mean more matches and fans looking to attend events. This will require far more volunteers, leading FIFA to begin with around 65,000 to cover the massive tournament. While they aren’t expected to struggle to fill those positions, time will tell if it will be enough to cover the expanded tournament.
For volunteers, the change in format means they’ll be learning along with FIFA officials. While overall requirements will be similar to years past, more fans, teams, and athletes will create new and complex challenges for FIFA and its volunteers.
