FIFA: 2026 World Cup volunteer applications exceed one million, setting record, 65,000 will be selected

On October 8, FIFA officially announced that the number of volunteer applicants for the 2026 World Cup has exceeded 1 million, setting a new record for world sports events.

The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The deadline for volunteer applications for this World Cup is October 10, and with three days left before the deadline, more than 1 million people have applied to become volunteers for the 2026 World Cup. This data exceeds the number of volunteer applicants for any other sports event in the world and sets a new record.

This astonishing number of applications reflects the huge influence of the World Cup, the world's largest and most outstanding football competition, on local, national and global scales. Volunteers are regarded as the heart of the World Cup, welcoming fans from around the world, sharing local pride and enthusiasm for the World Cup, and ensuring that all participants have a smooth experience of the world's largest football event.

The 2026 World Cup has expanded to 48 participating teams, and will be held in 16 cities in 3 host countries from June 11 to July 19, 2026. After the October 10 application deadline, a volunteer selection process and interviews will take place, leading to the final selection of 65,000 World Cup volunteers.

Applying to become a World Cup volunteer does not require previous volunteer service experience. Successful applicants will receive training and be responsible for providing services and support in 24 areas, including official and unofficial World Cup locations such as stadiums, training grounds, airports, hotels, etc. to ensure that they are ready to welcome fans from all over the world to the United States, Canada, and Mexico to participate in this highly anticipated event.

There are 12 volunteer centers for the 2026 World Cup, the first of which has been put into use in New York, USA. These centers will serve as hubs for volunteers before, during and after the World Cup. They will hold interviews, induction training courses, etc. for all volunteers to start an unforgettable journey for these volunteers.

FIFA President Infantino said: "Volunteers are the heart, soul and smiles of FIFA games. They can show local pride, gain a unique behind-the-scenes perspective of the event, and gain lifelong memories and friendships while supporting this historic event. Our volunteers range in age from 18 to 92, and include students who are just starting their life journey, as well as retired people who share their skills and experiences. Everyone has their own story, and this is indeed the most diverse community in the world."