Calling all World Cup volunteers: Application portal now open for Vancouver positions

FIFA launched its online portal Monday for people interested in volunteering at the World Cup next year.

On Monday, FIFA launched its online portal for people interested in volunteering in all 16 host cities for World Cup 2026, including Vancouver.

“It’s a really, really exciting time for Vancouver and also for FIFA. This is the largest volunteer program of any FIFA event,” said Jessie Adcock, the Vancouver Host Committee lead.

Between 2,500 and 3,000 volunteers are being sought for the seven games being hosted at B.C. Place.

“We will have folks stationed around the downtown core, folks stationed in different parts of the city that are quite popular, around the stadium, around the fan festival. And so we’re going to be looking for all sorts of skills, all sorts of languages, and all sorts of different types of knowledge,” said Adcock.

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While proficiency in languages and local knowledge would be considered assets for perspective volunteers, so will a love of a game.

“Obviously a knowledge about soccer is great,” Adcock said. “Past World Cup knowledge would be very helpful as well.”

Vancouver was a host city for the 2015 Women’s World Cup, and it welcomed the world for the 2010 Olympics, where volunteers in baby blue jackets were essential to making the event run smoothly.

“I think the look and feel of the blue jackets is something that none of us will ever forget,” said Adcock. “And similarly, our volunteers will be kitted out in a uniform and we’ll be able to distinguish them, and they’ll wear it with pride and it will be something that uniquely represents this event across the 16 cities.”

Applicants must be at least 18 years old age and be available for eight shifts between June 11 and July 19 of next year. While locals are being encouraged to put their names in, FIFA is accepting applications from people from other countries who plan to be in Vancouver for the World Cup.

“It’s very similar to applying for a job, but a lot lighter touch than that,” Adcock said. “You don’t have to upload a resumé at this stage. But further down the process, as we start to narrow down lists and match people to roles, obviously there is a requirement around a little bit more for background checking, etc.”

FIFA and the City of Vancouver host team will work together to choose the best applicants, with decisions expected this fall.

“Some people who volunteered in 2010 will be possibly lucky to have a second in a lifetime experience. But these things don’t happen all the time,” Adcock said. “We really hope that our volunteers feel our respect and our gratitude and our sincere thanks at the end of it, because they are going to be an essential component of making sure that the event is successful.”