volunteer fifa com

July 20, 2025

Want to be part of the FIFA World Cup or a major global tournament without being a player or a coach? Here’s how volunteers are shaping world football—and why it’s one of the best experiences you’ll ever sign up for.

What FIFA Volunteers Actually Do (It’s Way More Than You Think)

People hear "FIFA volunteer" and imagine handing out flyers or helping fans find their seats. That’s part of it, sure—but it barely scratches the surface.

At any big FIFA tournament—whether it’s the World Cup, Club World Cup, U‑17s, or the Women’s edition—there are hundreds of roles. Over 30 job types across 20+ departments. Stadium ops, media support, VIP hosting, accreditation, IT logistics, medical zone coordination. Real stuff with real pressure.

Volunteers basically keep the whole operation from falling apart. They’re like a pit crew. No glamour, but the engine doesn’t run without them.

There’s an App for All This

FIFA built a proper digital system for managing everything. It’s called the FIFA Volunteer Platform. There’s also a mobile app—same name.

Everything starts there: sign-up, role selection, interview scheduling, updates, and training materials. They even have videos of past volunteers talking about what they did and what to expect. It’s clean, efficient, and built to scale. Which it needs to be—with over a million people already registered.

Who Can Join?

Pretty simple: you need to be at least 18. For most events, you don’t have to live in the host country, though some smaller tournaments—like the U‑17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco—ask for local residents.

Language helps. English is a must, and depending on the location, Arabic, French, or Spanish can give you an edge. But more important is attitude. Volunteers don’t get paid. So FIFA’s looking for people who show up early, adapt fast, and don’t crumble when things go sideways.

Recent Gigs and What They Looked Like

Club World Cup 2025 (USA) – This was the first of its kind: a revamped 32-team tournament, 11 host cities, thousands of moving parts. FIFA brought in 8,000 volunteers from a pool of 68,000 applicants. Some worked media zones. Others were out in the heat at fan areas. Every single one mattered.

One standout story? A father-son pair who’d volunteered at the 1994 World Cup came back three decades later to do it again. Full circle moment.

U‑17 Women’s World Cup Morocco (Oct–Nov 2025) – Smaller in scale, but no less intense. They’re pulling in 500 volunteers, mainly local. Roles range from guest services in Rabat stadiums to technical support and match-day coordination. Application deadline? 25 July 2025.

Qatar 2025 (Arab Cup + U‑17 Men’s World Cup) – FIFA's pulling 4,000 volunteers for this one. Tournament and media ops are the key areas. They want residents who speak English. Arabic’s a big bonus. Applicants get uniforms, meals, transport, and gear—but most are in it for the adrenaline of game day.

World Cup 2026 (USA, Canada, Mexico) – The biggest one ever. 48 teams. Three countries. And FIFA’s gunning for tens of thousands of volunteers. Cities like Kansas City alone want 6,000 selected from 12,000 applicants. It’s massive. Applications are open now, and training kicks off early 2026.

What the Volunteer Journey Feels Like

First step: join the FIFA Volunteer Community online. That just gets you into the system and lets you see when events go live.

Next, the application window opens. You apply for a specific role or area—say, guest services at SoFi Stadium in LA. If they like your profile, they’ll ask you for an interview (sometimes online, sometimes group-based).

Once selected, you go through training. Could be virtual, in person, or both. You get your uniform, ID badge, and schedule.

Then comes the good part: game time. You show up, check in, and do your shift. Might be six hours, might be ten. You’re part of the core team. You help fans, assist media, direct buses, escort teams. Whatever your role, it’s essential.

After the tournament? You get a certificate, a gift package (usually pretty cool), and a giant boost of real-world experience.

What’s in It for You (Besides Watching the Games)

Let’s be clear: this isn’t a free ticket to watch football. Most roles are work-heavy. But you are in the middle of it all. You get:

Branded uniforms (Adidas, usually)
Access to behind-the-scenes areas
Meal vouchers during shifts
Transport support to and from venues
FIFA-branded souvenirs and gear
Training and professional certificates
Connections that span 100+ countries

It’s more like an elite internship meets cultural exchange than a fan club.

The Skills You Pick Up Are Legit

Want to work in sports one day? Events? Logistics? Hospitality?

This is a killer resume builder. You're handling pressure, multitasking, solving on-the-spot problems in real time with international teams. That’s gold in any industry.

And it’s not fluff. These events are as close to organized chaos as it gets. It forces you to adapt quickly, communicate clearly, and manage stress—exactly the kind of stuff that separates average applicants from standouts.

How to Make the Cut

Competition is stiff. Here’s what makes you stand out:

You’ve done volunteer work before (sports or otherwise)
You’ve worked crowds, customers, or events
You speak multiple languages
You’re flexible with dates and hours
You’ve got references or a solid application

Also, don’t underestimate enthusiasm. People who genuinely care tend to do well. And FIFA notices.

What It's Actually Like to Be There

You meet people from everywhere. You trade badges and pins. You take selfies with fans. Sometimes, you’re working twelve hours straight. Other times, you get to watch legends walk past you in the tunnel. You learn to say “Where’s the restroom?” in five languages.

It's exhausting, unforgettable, and weirdly addictive. Most people apply again and again. It becomes part of their identity.

Is It Worth It?

Absolutely. Just don’t go in expecting a luxury backstage pass. This is work—and meaningful work at that. You help make the world’s biggest events happen. You get life stories, new friends, professional growth, and a front-row seat to global football history.

And let’s be honest—how many people can say they were part of a World Cup team, even if they didn’t kick a ball?

Applications are open now for Morocco 2025 and World Cup 2026. Get in while you can. These spots fill up fast—and once they’re gone, they’re gone.