What to know
- Volunteering for FIFA offers behind-the-scenes access and unique experiences, but doesn’t guarantee free game tickets.
- Volunteers play key roles from pre-ceremony flag bearers to welcoming other volunteers and fans at the stadium.
- Perks include Adidas uniforms, transit passes, and the chance to meet soccer stars and new friends.
- Organizing the tournament relies on hundreds of volunteers. Toronto alone will see thousands in action this summer.
Ever wondered what it would be like to volunteer for FIFA? These Toronto World Cup volunteers are sharing their experience.
FIFA tickets are expensive, so some Torontonians are saving money and gaining behind-the-scenes access by volunteering in Toronto between June 12 and July 2.
Now Toronto spoke with FIFA volunteers about the anticipation and opportunity as the games approach.
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Maritza Mohammed’s experience
At 25, Maritza Mohammed is already an event planner, entering the industry through volunteering for FIFA, gaining behind-the-scenes insight into planning the festival.
After submitting the online application in October, Mohammed received a call for January training and soon immersed himself in FIFA’s fun history.
From the different balls at all the games to further understanding of what a volunteer role entails, Mohammed said she had a great time.
“I was super excited. I feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, just because they only go from country to country,” she told Now Toronto.
Despite heavy criticism for doing free work, she believes volunteering for the event is just as worthwhile.
“I think between just the connections that you get to make, on top of just the experience overall, not everyone gets to go behind the scenes and see what it’s like to be on the field,” Mohammed said.
So, what’s her role?
During the post-training one-on-one interview, Mohammed had to share her top three role choices. Hers were broadcasting and media, fan support and pre-ceremonies. When chosen as a volunteer, Mohammed was given the role of helping with pre-ceremonies, during which she would bring out all the flags onto the field before each game.
Does she get to stay for the game?
Unfortunately, Mohammed cannot stay for the game. But she hopes to see some players on the field as she brings the flags.
Though she gets to keep a souvenir: her uniform. Part of her Adidas-sponsored outfit includes two pairs of pants, one pair of shorts and shoes. They’re also providing Presto cards for volunteers to come down.
What surprised her the most about her experience?
“Just how many operating parts there are, like just for my section alone, for the pre ceremonies, it’s 100 people in that section, and they have so many others where volunteers. I think there may be like 500-600 people alone just to help out,” she said.
As an event planner, she understands how much work it takes to put on an event, but this one is on a much larger scale.
“It takes a lot to put on an event in general, but an event of this size, it’s a lot of moving parts, and you can tell they’re working really, really hard,” Mohammed said.
Lammi Yousouf’s experience
30-year-old Project Resource Manager Lammi Yousouf is part of the volunteer management team as an engagement volunteer this season.
Yousouf has experience volunteering for FIFA since the Women’s Under 20 World Cup in 2015 and the Women’s Under 21 World Cup the year prior.
For this FIFA season, she’s already prepared with the starting line of volunteers by welcoming potential applicants and conducting their interviews.
Now, her next training is set for Friday.
“I’m going to be like that friendly face for the first people, for the first volunteers that come in… and we’re going to be creating the welcome atmosphere for all of the volunteers at the stadium, so making sure everybody’s super engaged and excited about their roles at the stadium,” Yousouf told Now Toronto.
She’s unsure of the specific number of volunteers in Toronto, but confirmed there are 3,000 total between Toronto and Vancouver.
Any perks with the role?
In her previous role with the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup, she was given some free tickets. Since this FIFA season is on a larger scale, she isn’t sure if she’ll be able to watch the game, but she chose shifts during tournament time to be in the FIFA atmosphere.
“I feed off of energy, and I love to see when it’s super energetic in the stadium,” Yousouf said. “Will I be able to see the games? I’m not too sure. I’m pretty sure I’m going to be able to catch a glimpse of it, for sure.”
She’s also excited to receive the uniform and keep it as a souvenir. But most of all, she’s looking forward to seeing her friend, Ali Ahmed, who’s also playing for Team Canada.
What this means for her
Despite having previously volunteered at FIFA women’s events, the feeling still doesn’t lose its specialness to her.
“I’m like a huge soccer fan, so just getting to geek over the tournament and just like the excitement over soccer, that’s my favourite part,” she said.
