Anyone looking for a little taste of the action at the FIFA World Cup, the soccer tournament coming to Arlington in 2026, can now apply as a volunteer.
The World Cup is an international soccer tournament held every four years. The 2026 tournament will be held in 16 host cities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, where it will kick off in Mexico City on June 11. That includes AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which is scheduled to host nine games over the course of the tournament, the most of any venue.
Applications are now open for 65,000 volunteers expected to participate; the FIFA World Cup 26 volunteer community will be the largest volunteer program for a FIFA event to date. Given the expanded 48-team format and activity, the FIFA volunteer community – now one million members strong and growing – will be called on to join in support of the biggest FIFA World Cup yet.
FIFA welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds and abilities as the organization aspires to bring people from all walks of life together to enjoy the game of football. From students to retirees, from first-timers to seasoned veterans, the FIFA World Cup 26 Volunteer Community will be made up of a diverse group of individuals united by a passion for football, volunteering and community.
No prior volunteering experience is required. Applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application and eligible to volunteer in the host country, and should have a good command of English. Proficiency in any additional languages is a plus, according to the release.
“Volunteers are the heart, soul, and smile of FIFA tournaments,” says FIFA President Gianni Infantino in a statement. “They get to show off their local pride, gain a behind-the-scenes view of the tournament and make memories and friendships that can last a lifetime, while supporting a historic event. We hope interested individuals will join us as we welcome the world to North America in 2026.”
Volunteers will provide support across 23 functional areas (ticketing, fan operations, and ceremonies) at official and non-official sites such as stadiums, training sites, airports, hotels and more.
According to a release, volunteers whose applications are successful will be invited to attend the volunteer team tryouts, which are expected to begin in October, with training in March 2026.
“I’m so proud to be part of this moment – not just for FIFA, but for my city,” said Craig Collins, who volunteered at the 1994 FIFA World Cup USA and the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 in Atlanta – and officially became the one millionth volunteer to join the FIFA Volunteer Community in April 2025. “I’m excited to apply for the 2026 volunteer program and hope to show off my community to the world once more.”
