The Houston Host Committee said applications are now open for volunteers for the seven soccer matches and other World Cup events next summer.
HOUSTON — The countdown is on! In just 10 months, the first of seven FIFA World Cup matches will kick off in Houston as part of the 2026 tournament.
As the excitement builds, organizers are now looking for thousands of volunteers to help welcome fans from around the world to the Bayou City for the matches and other World Cup events.
The volunteer application website just went live on Monday and the response has already been overwhelming.
“We’ve had thousands of folks sign up with interest in volunteering here in Houston and expect that number to continue to grow as we get closer to 2026,” Houston Host Committee Vice President of Operations John Coppins said.
About 5,200 volunteers will be needed across the city and they’ll be split into two major groups. Around 2,700 Host City Ambassadors will help welcome and guide visitors, while another 2,500 volunteers will be at NRG Stadium for competition services and pre-match ceremonies.
“There’s really an opportunity for everyone, whether you’re a diehard soccer fan or you just like to come out and support these events in your community,” Coppins said. “It’s really an incredible opportunity to engage with the event outside of buying a ticket and going to a match.”
You must be 18 years old to apply. Just create an account online and fill out the application.
The selection process will include an in-person interview and a personality screening to see which volunteer roles will be the best fit.
“It’ll be an eight, nine-month process, but from a host committee standpoint, and just from a Houston and Harris County standpoint, it’s really an exciting time,” Coppins said.
At Pitch 25 near East Downtown, a popular bar and gathering spot for soccer fans, the energy around the World Cup is already palpable.
Officials said many volunteers will be stationed at the FIFA Fan Festival, which will be in East Downtown, not far from Pitch 25. The business said they are working with the Houston Host Committee to lend a helping hand.
“We’re discussing different options as far as like cooling stations, things like that, to where we can have some of their volunteers come over, hang out, relax for a few minutes, before they jump right back into the action,” Pitch 25 Director of Operations Timothy Contreras.
Bryce Rostkowski said he would love the chance to volunteer during the World Cup.
“Soccer is my first love,” Rostkowski told KHOU 11. “Just volunteering for such a massive event that’s going to be watched by billions of people worldwide is just mind-blowing.”
Volunteering comes with a few perks.
“There’s a volunteer apparel package, it’s 10 pieces put together by FIFA’s official partner at Adidas, so the shoes, socks, jumpsuits. There’s gear, World Cup gear that only the volunteers will get as a part of their role,” Coppins said. “We feed them on every shift, provide them with access to amenities and experiences that the normal ticket buyer may not get.”
But there’s one thing volunteers WON’T get.
“Tickets to the matches are not one of those perks. As you know, World Cup tickets are probably the most in-demand sporting event ticket, regardless of where it is or who’s playing,” Coppins said.
Coppins said the applications will likely be live for a few months, and officials are urging anyone who is interested in participating to fill out an application. No experience is required.
To learn more or to apply, visit the official FIFA World Cup 26 website.