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.

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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

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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

Houston bids farewell to FIFA World Cup 2026 on Independence Day

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

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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 

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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.

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FIFA World Cup 2026™ curtain falls in Toronto after historic first for Canada

Canada’s unprecedented run to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ began with an historic first FIFA World Cup™ game on home soil at the Toronto Stadium.

Pre Match ceremony during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Portugal and Croatia at Toronto Stadium 

FIFA Foundation Digital Education Programme: Request for Proposals for the supply of computer hardware in Mauritania

The FIFA Foundation is financing an educational initiative called the "Digital Education Programme" (DEP) which provides technological tools alongside learning, training, and mentoring resources to primary schools in vulnerable communities. 

The remarkable recovery of Nancy Tituaña Morales, New York New Jersey’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Unsung Hero

For most of the 50,000 volunteers at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, being at the heart of the greatest show on Earth is an unforgettable opportunity for Nancy Tituaña Morales.

adidas Volunteer Nancy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany

San Francisco Bay Area Stadium bows out of FIFA World Cup 2026 with memorable sell-out

Amidst joyous celebrations from supporters of the United States men’s national team, San Francisco Bay Area Stadium bid farewell to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ after six games which fans, organisers and the local community will never forget.

A view of team lineups during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 1, 2026 in Santa Clara, United States.

Mexican match made in heaven revelling in FIFA World Cup 2026™ volunteering journey

Volunteer Eduardo Amaya is part of the Access Management team at Monterrey Stadium at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, which is his second taste of volunteering since the 1970 edition when he was just 15 years old.

Mexican match made in heaven revelling in FIFA World Cup 2026 volunteering journey

Monterrey volunteers (thumbnail)

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Monterrey’s Unsung Hero, an inspiration for all FIFA World Cup 2026 volunteers

Longs celebrate FIFA World Cup’s impact on Kansas City and beyond

Angie and Chris Long are the majority owners of NWSL side Kansas City Current. The Longs decided to invest after attending matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™ The couple highlight the significance of having the World Cup in Kansas City.

Angie and Chris Long  are seeing during the FIFA World Cup match between Tunisia and Netherlands

Superfan Larry Zima’s passion for Canada knows no bounds at FIFA World Cup 2026™

The FIFA World Cup™ has always brought together the most passionate fans from around the world and is known for being the catalyst for some of the most iconic displays of fandom known in sport. The 2026 edition in North America has been no different.

Canadian Super Fan Larry Zima 

David Ricardo Cruz Bonilla is part of the volunteer team at Monterrey Stadium for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. With an ever-present smile, he has become a powerful example of inclusion and equality

FIFA Social Media Protection Service identifies 89,000 abusive posts during FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage - with over one in 10 racially motivated

Racial abuse is growing and has become a persistent threat to the wellbeing of players, according to the latest findings from FIFA’s Social Media Protection Service (SMPS) during the FIFA World Cup 2026™ group stage. 

Stop Hate message

Blaise Matuidi hands over the 5.000.000th ticket

 Five millionth fan attends FIFA World Cup 2026™ to make competition history

Total attendance at the FIFA World Cup 2026™ has broken the five million barrier to set an incredible new benchmark for the near-100-year-old competition.

French FIFA World Cup winners Youri Djorkaeff and Blaise Matuidi present Raphaël Noufele with a giant ceremonial ticket 

FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina reflects on refereeing at FIFA World Cup 2026™ so far 

Before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, it was decided to implement some new rules, in particular concerning time wasting to reduce time lost during matches and increase the amount of time the ball is in play.

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