What It’s Like to Work at the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Millions of people watched the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Our candidates experienced it from an entirely different perspective.

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‍This summer, as the world’s largest international sporting event took over stadiums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Career Group Events had the privilege of partnering with Profil and Fanatics to help build the team behind it. Together, we placed hundreds of hospitality and retail operations professionals who helped bring the guest experience to life — running official retail stores, working in VIP spaces, and creating the experience millions of people were watching around the world.

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So, what was it actually like to work the FIFA World Cup 2026™? We asked the people who did it.

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The Story Behind the Experience

For many of our candidates, this was a goal years in the making.

"For years, working on a World Cup was one of my biggest career goals. This summer, that dream became a reality" — Montse Medina.

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But once the tournament began, being part of the experience also meant getting to work. While fans watched the games from the stands, our teams were working behind the scenes helping make the experience seamless for thousands of guests.

For our VIP event staff, that meant everything from welcoming guests and verifying hospitality credentials to providing wayfinding throughout packed stadiums. As Tristin Oberg shared, the goal was always “ensuring every guest received a professional and memorable experience.”

Whether it was in VIP suites or on the retail floor at the official FIFA stores, our candidates navigated the pace and unpredictability that come with an event of this magnitude. On any given day, they crossed paths with people from around the world, from international delegates and distinguished guests to fans lined up to take home a piece of the moment. The expectations were high, but so was the sense that they were contributing to something much bigger.

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“Ever since Boston was announced as a FIFA World Cup Host City, I knew I wanted to be a part of it. I never imagined that opportunity would be to help lead retail operations across two official FIFA Stores and contribute to an event that hosted fans from around the world." — Colin Sheehan

That kind of environment also creates an opportunity to build skills quickly. Managing multiple priorities, responding to unexpected situations, and working with guests from different backgrounds meant learning to adapt in real time.

"Navigating and de-escalating unexpected situations while balancing multiple priorities strengthened my critical thinking, adaptability, time management, and decision-making skills in a fast-paced environment.” — Blake Bastos.

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Of course, working the FIFA World Cup 2026™ came with experiences that went far beyond the job itself. Our candidates weren't just helping in the suites and stores — they were the ones leading the teams and overseeing the operations that brought it to life while witnessing some of the biggest global moments firsthand.

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"On the pitch I got to witness the opening ceremony, the United States win a match on home soil, view many of the top soccer players in the world compete, and see the eventual champions, Spain, win to advance to the semifinals of the tournament." — Alex Shader

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Those are the moments that make working an event like the FIFA World Cup 2026™ unlike almost anything else. But when our candidates looked back on the experience, it wasn't only the matches, VIPs, or historic moments that stood out. It was the people they experienced it alongside.

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“What I'll remember most isn't just being part of one of the world's biggest sporting events — it's the people.” — Tyler Feng

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Where Event Work Can Take You

At an event of this scale, every role matters. The FIFA World Cup 2026™ might be remembered for its goals and winning teams, but it really came to life through the people working behind the scenes to make every moment feel seamless.

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‍That's the heart of what we do at Career Group Events, and it's one of the reasons event work can be such a rewarding career experience. No two events are exactly alike, and neither are the paths they open. The experience you build on-site is hard to replicate and could open doors to opportunities you may not have considered before. A role that begins in retail or hospitality could lead to operations, production, or event management.

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At Career Group Events, we specialize in event staffing and on-site event management, partnering with clients to build teams around the unique needs and goals of each experience.

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If you thrive in fast-paced environments, enjoy working with people, and want to build experience through live events, the opportunities can be unlike anything else.

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Ready to see where event work could take you? Explore our current roles we’re hiring for and apply through Career Group Events.