As a Bangladeshi immigrant living in New York, USA, watching the FIFA World Cup live was always a dream of mine. When I moved to New York nearly three years ago and learned that the FIFA World Cup 2026 would be hosted in the United States, I began dreaming of becoming a part of this historic event.
That dream became a reality through the FIFA Volunteer Program.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 volunteer selection process was one of the most competitive in the world. Approximately 1.1 million people from more than 220 countries applied to become volunteers. After a rigorous selection process, around 60,000 volunteers were selected globally.
For the New York/New Jersey host city, more than 100,000 people applied. Around 15,000 applicants were invited for interviews, and approximately 8,000 were ultimately selected to support the tournament.
I feel incredibly proud and grateful to have been one of them. Being selected as a Ceremonies Volunteer for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final was an extraordinary honor. Only a few hundred volunteers had the opportunity to be part of the Final match, and being among the few Bangladeshi volunteers involved made the experience even more special.
A Journey That Began with a Dream
My journey toward becoming a FIFA volunteer began in August 2025, when I submitted my application.
The selection process included an online application, assessments, an interview, and extensive preparation. In November 2025, I received an invitation to attend the volunteer tryouts and interview. After successfully completing that stage, I received the confirmation email from FIFA in March 2026 informing me that I had been selected as a Ceremonies Volunteer.
At that time, I had no idea that I would eventually be assigned to the FIFA World Cup Final.
Following my selection, I completed the required background check and attended an in-person training session. The final stage was shift allocation, and I was incredibly fortunate to be assigned to the Final match as part of the Ceremonies team.
In May 2026, I received my official FIFA volunteer uniform, and in June, the tournament officially began. Looking back, every step of the journey—the application, assessments, interview, training, and preparation—was truly worth it.
A Dream Come True at the Final
Having the opportunity to work at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final, watch the entire match live from inside the stadium, and stand alongside the field was an unforgettable experience.
It was something I could never have imagined as a child growing up in Mirpur, Dhaka.
During the Final, I also had the incredible opportunity to see global performers and football legends up close. Watching Shakira and Speed rehearse live in front of me felt surreal. I found myself asking, “Is this really happening?”
I also saw legendary football figures such as Carlos Puyol, David Villa, Wayne Rooney, and Carlos Tevez near the players’ tunnel on the day of the Final.
Those moments will remain among the most memorable experiences of my life.
My Role as a Ceremonies Volunteer
As a Ceremonies Volunteer for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at New York New Jersey Stadium, my responsibility was to support the production team and help ensure that the Final ceremony activities ran smoothly.
My duties included:
Greeting and assisting entertainment groups, performers, and individual participants upon arrival.
Supporting cast and crew members as they moved through stadium facilities, including the field, tunnels, and designated operational areas.
Serving as a point of contact between performers, crew members, and the production team.
Answering general questions and helping maintain smooth movement and coordination during rehearsals and live event activities.
Being trusted with such an important role at the biggest sporting event in the world was a privilege I will always cherish.
A Memory for a Lifetime
I am deeply grateful to FIFA for giving me this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Growing up in Mirpur, Dhaka, I never imagined that one day I would stand inside a FIFA World Cup Final as a volunteer. This experience has given me a memory that I will carry forever.
Years from now, I will proudly tell my grandchildren that I was fortunate enough to witness the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final live—not only as a spectator, but as a FIFA Volunteer.
