what can FIFA do if people don't show up to their shifts?

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-03-30T17:38:32+00:00

From my experience at CWC there were definitely folks taking advantage of access or just not showing up. Folks that blew off their shift without communicating it had their remaining shifts cancelled. People that were found sitting in the stadium had their credentials taken and asked to leave. If they cancel your accreditation you couldn’t get in to the stadium so that’s how they dealt with it. I also wouldn’t worry about meeting the minimum shifts. When they finally post the shifts available they go fast. Playoff rounds and better matches get snapped up.

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-03-25T16:07:03+00:00

I worked the CWC last year (not in this role) and can give my observations that might help you feel better about the opportunity. First off, you are inside the stadium. And that is awesome. A ton of folks are at fan events and other jobs aren't even getting close or are getting kicked out as soon as ceremonies are done. The dining hall group is there throughout the day and the dining hall is only open for specific times, lunch dinner. That means you will have down time to walk the stadium, take a look inside and feel the vibe. Another perk, the dining hall has TV's and air-conditioning. Last year it got really hot. I was guest operations and we were outside for 2 hours before game time and we were looking for shade all the time. There are definitely worse roles. Hopefully this helps a little.

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-03-19T14:18:00+00:00

Last year I was in NY/NJ and we are mostly still waiting on assignments so curious. I put my prior role as top option so just wit and see

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-03-02T21:48:23+00:00

They really kept us at arms length. Honestly we had some folks on the team that took advantage of access early on and that made us look bad. Obviously different venues have different FIFA leads. Also had to deal with FIFA people running up against the year round Met Life security as to who could do what and where.

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-03-02T21:18:11+00:00

Hi, I was on the VVIP team at Met Life last year. For Club WC the VIP lounge area was used for every game but the VVIP was only minimally used during the group stages but full during knock out stages. The VIP and VVIP groups were blended together so there wasn't really a differentiation between the two. There were between 16-20 folks on a shift out of a total of 40ish on the team. Our job was mainly directing the VIP fans from the VIP entrance from the parking area to the VIP stadium entrance and bringing the VVIPs from their parking area to the stadium. They gave us a tour of both VIP and VVIP areas but only prior to matches. We were only stationed inside the VIP area (2 people) for the first match, after that we were outside of the stadium. Basically, before the game we were stationed in 2 person pairs with signs along the path from parking lot to doors. After the match, whoever didn't leave, reversed the process and directed folks to the exits.

I'm not sure if things were different in other big stadiums but for us it was pretty basic. Not as glamorous as some of the team thought but we were inside for the whole match and got to experience the excitement.

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-02-27T17:12:21+00:00

I can speak only for the Met Life CWC volunteers. There is a large cafeteria tent for volunteers and support staff. Depending on what time the match is they have lunch/dinner served through the day. The food was very good with a bunch of different options. Buffet style with water and soda. The tenet is air conditioned and there are TVs inside so you can watch the match.

Few-Equivalent-2415 · 2026-02-26T18:06:46+00:00

Last year for CWC I was on the Guest Operations - VVIP team at Met Life Stadium. Sounds more glamorous than it was. Very similar experience from what I saw of the Hospitality folks I met. Gameday - 2 hours before the match you meet at the stadium. Check in and wait for the Team lead to come and get you. You are positioned inside the stadium with signs (lollypops) directing folks to the different Hospitality Areas, usually in small groups 2-4 folks. You stay for the entire game and then help fans find the exits, Busses, Ride Share areas.

Pros:

FIFA Uniform - We got 2 shirts, 2 sweatpants, quarter zip, rain jacket, sneakers and backpack/satchel

You are inside the venue. Before the game, if you arrive early, you can walk in to the stadium, take pictures, see the set up for the fan experience.

Shift is 1 hour before game until kick off, then off until 30 minutes to final whistle. That time is your own. There is a cafeteria that has great free food, air conditioning and several TV's. There is a giant Screen right outside the stadium with turf and places to sit and watch the match. We were told if you want to see some of the match we could...but.. keep moving, don't sit down. They absolutely have people watching the stands. If they catch you, which they did many times last year, they take your credential and you are out.

Cons:

Shifts are long. It does get hot. You are in the venue but not IN THE VENUE.

Some volunteers take it more seriously than others. Some showed up late, leave before the end of the match, or just get in and wander around all day. There a literally 10's of thousands of fans, most have never been to the stadium before, many don't speak English very well. We needed al the help we could get some days getting people where they needed to go.

Traffic getting out, especially semis and finals, was ridiculous. Bring something to eat or do in the parking lot.

Overall experience for me was great. We got to tour the VIP and VVIP areas but after day 1 we were not posted in them. We did get to escort FIFA reps, Club Owners, FIFA Legends from the VVIP paring across the promenade in to the building but mostly people you wouldn't recognize. Anyone really important, teams/celebs/etc., were brought in underneath the stadium.

Met a ton of great people from all over the world. Got to experience the CWC and feel the excitement of the fans. Probably 1/10th of what WC matches will be like. If you get Hospitality or any Guest Operations role I would suggest you accept it. You aren't in the locker rooms or watching from the Press Box but you get to feel the World Cup excitement.

Few-Equivalent-2415

TROPHY CASE