'Once a volunteer, always a volunteer': the FIFA World Cup 2026 story of Paula Pontes

For many of its 50,000 volunteers, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has been their first taste of the unique experience of being at the heart of a big, global football tournament, but there are a small group who have become veterans of the volunteer team.

'Once a volunteer, always a volunteer': the FIFA World Cup 2026 story of Paula Pontes 

From the FIFA World Cup to the dinner tables of Kansas City’s families in need

FIFA is supporting the recovery and donation of surplus food from tournament venues in Kansas City. Pete’s Garden is the organisation responsible for repackaging the food and coordinating its distribution

Pete’s Garde, the organization that is channeling surplus food from FIFA World Cup-related venues in Kansas City

FIFA Foundation pledges USD 1 million to support communities affected by Venezuela earthquake

The FIFA Foundation has announced a commitment of USD 1 million from its Humanitarian Fund to support relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that has affected communities across Venezuela.

Panama and England players hold a minute of silence for the victims of the earthquake in Venezuela

Boston makes FIFA World Cup memories with Tartan Army takeover and Dembélé hat-trick 

Boston’s electric seven-match run as a FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City featured everything about the planet’s most popular sporting event that captures humanity’s collective imagination. 

 Thank You Boston message on the giant screen

"We are not influenced by anyone," says FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina

"Constructive discussion about decisions will always be part of football, but unfounded allegations have no place in our sport." 

Argentina v Algeria: Group J - FIFA World Cup 2026

Eduardo Granados: the FIFA World Cup 2026 volunteer connecting Mexico 1986 with today

Eduardo Granados has been recognised as Guadalajara’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Unsung Hero, linking his current role to the historic 1986 tournament.

From packed stadiums to record digital reach: FIFA World Cup 2026™ numbers tell story of unprecedented scale as last eight confirmed

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ has moved into the quarter-finals, with football’s greatest stage continuing to set new benchmarks not only on the pitch, but across every dimension of the tournament experience.

A total of 6,259,584 people attended matches after the conclusion of the round of 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Justin Bieber to co-headline FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show with Madonna, Shakira and BTS

FIFA and Global Citizen are pleased to announce that global superstar Justin Bieber has joined as co-headliner of the historic FIFA World Cup 2026™ Final Halftime Show, taking place on Sunday, 19 July 2026, at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Vancouver bids farewell to FIFA World Cup as Switzerland make history

Canada’s duties as a FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host Country came to an end following the final match in Vancouver, British Colombia between Switzerland and Colombia, which saw the Swiss reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.

General View during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia at BC Place Vancouver 

Food donated from FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches delivers boost to Philadelphia community

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ at Philadelphia Stadium has a left a tangible mark on the local community, with unused fresh food from the venue being distributed to the local community – both eliminating waste and delivering a boost to families in the area.

Surplus food from six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matchdays at Philadelphia Stadium was redirected to local families

Aptly named Atlas Barber Shop welcomes the world at FIFA World Cup 2026 

Atlas Barber Shop has become a gathering point for football fans in Boston, Massachusetts during the FIFA World Cup 2026™

Growing the women’s game (June 2026)

June 2026 saw women's football development activity across various FIFA’s programmes with updates from five continents, a major new FIFA women’s football project launched, significant on- and off-field news for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™. 

FIFA Women’s Football Campaign for the Mashonaland Central Girls Football Festival, Zimbabwe

French pair prove volunteering unites the world at FIFA World Cup 2026

French friends Elsa Pelicant and Anais Stephany are among many international volunteers at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the duo describe their incredible on-pitch experiences and the joy of meeting new people. 

Seattle-based FIFA World Cup volunteers Elsa Pelicant and Anais Stephany 

FIFA Be Active campaign turbocharges community celebrations at FIFA Arena in New York City 

Young participants of Street Soccer USA’s Summer Camp from throughout New York celebrated wrapping up their week-long programme with a special Be Active-themed training session. 

MLS Legend Calen Carr poses for a photo with participants during the FIFA Be Active Training Session at Central Park

FIFA World Cup 2026™ curtain falls in Seattle 

Seattle Stadium hosted six FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches during the tournament

A general view of Seattle Stadium

Fort Worth fan becomes 50 millionth FIFA World Cup match-goer

Since 1930, FIFA has been welcoming fans from all corners of the globe to the FIFA World Cup™. In Texas, that history reached a new milestone, as the 50 millionth supporter to attend a FIFA World Cup match passed through the gates at Dallas Stadium.

 Immy Khan next to FIFA Legends Carles Puyol and Pepe

Unsung Hero Gladys Torres dreams of five more FIFA World Cups

Gladys Torres, 71, named Houston’s FIFA World Cup 2026™ Unsung Hero. Torres was surprised with a miniature FIFA World Cup™ Trophy by Houston Venue Operations Director, fellow volunteers and the three FIFA World Cup 2026 mascots.

FWC26_1920x1080_Unsung-Heroes-Gladys

Final four FIFA World Cup 2026™ matches to be played with TRIONDA FINAL Official Match Ball

With fewer than two weeks to go until the final of the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup™ in New York New Jersey, adidas has revealed the TRIONDA FINAL – the Official Match Ball for the semi-finals, bronze final and final of the record-setting tournament. 

TRIONDA FINAL Official Match Ball

Legendary Mexico City stadium cements in place in FIFA World Cup 2026 history

The iconic Mexico City Stadium, where Pelé and Diego Maradona both enjoyed their finest moments, became the first stadium to host matches in three FIFA World Cup™ tournaments as it cemented its place in the competition’s history.

Fans of Mexico show their support before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Mexico and England

FWC26_Thumb_Unsung-Heroes-Gladys-Torres

Kai Havertz #7 of Germany acknowledges the crowd after the 7-1 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Curacao

FIFA President Gianni Infantino looks on before the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Congo DR

Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands celebrates at full time

A general view as Cristiano Ronaldo #7 of Portugal celebrates scoring his sides first goal

Fans in the crowd during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia

FIFA President Gianni Infantino with FIFA Legends Bebeto, Ronaldo, Cafú, Roberto Carlos Oscar, Ronaldinho and Rivaldo 

Vinicius Junior #7 of Brazil celebrates in front of the fans during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Brazil and Japan

A view during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Canada and Morocco at Houston Stadium

Houston bids farewell to FIFA World Cup 2026 on Independence Day

Gladys Torres proudly holds a FIFA Volunteers 2026 flag

Gladys celebrates with fellow volunteers at Houston Stadium

Gladys Torres poses with a cardboard cutout of the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy at Houston Stadium

Gladys Torres with fellow volunteers at Houston Stadium

Gladys competes in a pickleball tournament.

Gladys Torres proudly holds a Colombia flag

Gladys Torres competes in a sporting event

 Unsung Hero Gladys Torres dreams of five more FIFA World Cups

Mother and daughter live out shared love of football as FIFA World Cup 2026 volunteers

For Mandii and Terry Pratt, volunteering has never been about the hours logged or the tasks completed. It is about family, community, and a shared love of the game that has bound this mother-daughter duo together with football for close to 20 years.

Mexican wife and English husband return to Mexico City for symbolic FIFA World Cup reunion 40 years on

Oliver Craxton is the rare England fan who has wonderful memories of the legendary – and somewhat notorious – 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ quarter-final between his beloved Three Lions and Argentina. 

Oliver and Sofía Craxton 

A generation later, the FIFA World Cup 2026™ provides full-circle moments for Dallas volunteers and fans

Thirty-two years after hosting 1994 FIFA World Cup USA™ matches at the Cotton Bowl, North Texas welcomes the world again at spectacular Dallas Stadium, attracting locals who took part in 1994 and are eager to relive the magic of the FIFA World Cup™.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ provides full-circle moments for Dallas volunteers and fans

Philadelphia wraps-up Host City duties with another vintage Kylian Mbappé performance

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s time as a FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City concluded on Independence Day with a thrilling match between France and Paraguay. Mbappé sealed his love affair with Philadelphia Stadium, scoring the winner to mark another milestone.

 Smokes forming the national flag of the United States are seen during the ceremony celebrating 4th of July in Philadelphia

Independence Day in the United States marked the end of Houston, Texas’ run as a FIFA World Cup 2026™ Host City, as Morocco progressed into the quarter final with a 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in the stadium’s final match.

A view during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between Canada and Morocco

FIFA Foundation’s benchmark Digital Education Programme bears fruit in Belize 

Ensuring today’s young learners are equipped for tomorrow’s ever-evolving digital world is at the heart of the FIFA Foundation’s Digital Education Programme, which uses football as a powerful gateway to bring technology to primary school students. 

Where football meets spaceflight: Houston takes the FIFA World Cup into orbit

Houston, Texas is giving the FIFA World Cup 2026™ a distinctly space-age feel. NASA and Space Center Houston are helping to shape the fan experience far beyond the stadium.

An interactive exhibit inside Houston Hall invites visitors to explore Houston's connection to space exploration

Historic record set by Mexico City’s “eternal volunteer” Pina Flores, the capital’s Unsung Hero

Pina Flores is no ordinary volunteer; she is taking part in her ninth international tournament as a volunteer, Flores boasts an impressive track record that has led to her being formally recognised as the Unsung Hero in Mexico City.

United States Navy captain, test pilot, and NASA astronaut Gregory Reid Wiseman and United States Navy captain, test pilot, and NASA astronaut Victor Jerome Glover Jr. pose for a photograph with the adidas Trionda Matchball 

Houston takes the FIFA World Cup™ into orbit

Thumb - Unsung Heroes - Christina Basi

Alphonso Davies’ Canada surprise father-daughter duo with Unsung Hero award 

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every FIFA tournament. And in Vancouver, Canada, approximately 2,500 passionate volunteers are helping world football’s governing body to deliver the greatest show on Earth at the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Volunteers meet Canadian National Team after their training session 

Thumb - Unsung Heroes - Pina Flores

Pre-match US Independence Day celebrations to add to FIFA World Cup 2026™ action

To mark the United States’ Independence Day and the nation’s 250th anniversary, FIFA will celebrate the holiday with special pre-match programming at both FIFA World Cup 2026™ round-of-16 matches this Saturday in Houston and Philadelphia.

1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™: a ball of memories for Humberto Sierra

 The 1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™ was hugely important for the North American country, which made history by becoming the first nation to host the tournament twice, having previously done so in 1970.

Humberto Sierra, former referee in Monterrey (Mexico)

FIFA World Cup 2026: Community policing in the service of security

Police officers in direct contact with fans during the FIFA World Cup 2026™. A community policing approach that balances security and human connection

FIFA World Cup 2026: Community policing in the service of security 

1986 FIFA World Cup Mexico™: a ball of memories for Humberto Sierra 

Life through a lens: shooting the FIFA World Cup for the first time

Veteran sports photographer Darla Tamulitis Kelly, 69, is capturing her first FIFA World Cup™ action.

All stories & topics

Categories