Organizers Seek Thousands of Volunteers Across North America

Organizers are actively seeking volunteers to support the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This expanded soccer tournament will feature 48 teams and 104 matches across 16 venues located in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The scale of the event necessitates a large volunteer workforce.

The organizers anticipate utilizing approximately 65,000 volunteers, with 6,000 of them in Canada alone. This makes the 2026 competition the largest volunteer program in FIFA history. Volunteers will be crucial in providing support across 23 functional areas. These areas include official and non-official sites such as stadiums, training facilities, airports, and hotels.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the importance of volunteers, calling them the "heart, soul, and smile" of FIFA tournaments. He highlighted the opportunity for volunteers to showcase local pride, gain behind-the-scenes experience, and create lasting memories. The program officially launched recently, with applications now being accepted through FIFA's volunteer portal.

Successful applicants will be invited to tryouts, which are scheduled to begin in October, followed by training in March. To be eligible, volunteers must be at least 18 years old at the time of application, commit to a minimum of eight shifts between June 11 and July 19, 2026, and possess English language skills. Proficiency in French and Spanish is also desirable for volunteers in Canada and Mexico, respectively, with other languages considered an asset. Volunteers must also pass a background check.

While volunteers can choose their preferred host city, FIFA will not provide travel or accommodation assistance. The volunteer positions are unpaid, although local transportation costs within the host city may be covered. Toronto and Vancouver are the Canadian host cities for the tournament. Toronto's BMO Field will host six matches, while Vancouver's BC Place Stadium will host seven.