Job Description
At FIFA26, our vision is to unite the world through the greatest sporting event of all time. The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament will feature 48 teams and be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico and the USA. This new format will redefine excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement among fans and players across North America and all over the world. Now is your time to become a game changer and join the workforce that will plan and deliver this extraordinary and unforgettable experience.
FIFA World Cup 26 Skills Framework
ACCOUNTABILITY: Demonstrate commitment to responsibilities and objectively analyze one’s behavior, while assuming consequences of one’s own actions and/or decisions and learning from one’s mistakes.
DECISION MAKING: Ability to identify and swiftly make decisions in critical situations, take initiative and calculated risks, explore alternative solutions, and respond promptly to unforeseen circumstances.
INCLUSIVITY: Achieve shared organizational objectives by sharing information with colleagues across all levels and divisions, tangibly influencing others, and maintaining a network of support contacts.
INITIATIVE: Capacity to do things on one’s own initiative and to influence the course of events, assume responsibilities, and achieve objectives with a minimum of supervision and control.
INNOVATION: Capacity to break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners, encourage teamwork, and delegate authority/decision-making power, as needed, to produce the expected results and make efficient use of the team’s skills and talents.
VISION: Ability to perceive the organization's global environmental impact, anticipate decision consequences, grasp organizational missions, and formulate strategic plans.
FIFA World Cup 26 Skills Framework
ACCOUNTABILITY: Demonstrate commitment to responsibilities and objectively analyze one’s behavior, while assuming consequences of one’s own actions and/or decisions and learning from one’s mistakes.
DECISION MAKING: Ability to identify and swiftly make decisions in critical situations, take initiative and calculated risks, explore alternative solutions, and respond promptly to unforeseen circumstances.
INCLUSIVITY: Achieve shared organizational objectives by sharing information with colleagues across all levels and divisions, tangibly influencing others, and maintaining a network of support contacts.
INITIATIVE: Capacity to do things on one’s own initiative and to influence the course of events, assume responsibilities, and achieve objectives with a minimum of supervision and control.
INNOVATION: Capacity to break new ground, look for unconventional solutions, and produce fresh ideas.
LEADERSHIP: Ability to lead one’s contacts/colleagues/partners, encourage teamwork, and delegate authority/decision-making power, as needed, to produce the expected results and make efficient use of the team’s skills and talents.
VISION: Ability to perceive the organization's global environmental impact, anticipate decision consequences, grasp organizational missions, and formulate strategic plans.
Main Activities and Responsibilities
Reporting organisationally to the Venue Operations Director, the Venue Operations Manager will be a key member of the FIFA26 Venue Management team, and work in close collaboration with all functional areas, the stadium team and and other key stakeholders responsible for delivering high quality venue management and stadium operations.
The main responsibilities and oversights of the Venue Operations Manager for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:
Operational & Leadership Support
The main responsibilities and oversights of the Venue Operations Manager for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:
Operational & Leadership Support
- Assist the Venue Operations Director in the preparation and execution of venue operational plans.
- Act as the primary point of contact for immediate on-the-ground operational issues.
- Step up as Acting Venue Operations Director in the VOD’s absence, ensuring continuity of decision-making and leadership.
- Share responsibilities with the VOD by taking ownership of designated operational areas to balance workload and maximize efficiency.
Competition & Match-Day Delivery
- Oversee and coordinate stadium operations on match days, ensuring functional areas (Security, Access Management, Transport, Medical, Media, Hospitality, Broadcast, Catering, Fan Experience and others) are aligned.
- Manage the Stadium Operations Center (SOC) log on WeTrack, monitoring and recording incidents and operational updates in real time.
- Support pre-match readiness checks, stadium walk-throughs, and venue readiness reporting.
- Coordinate team arrivals, officials’ logistics, and V/VIP movements in compliance with competition requirements.
- Oversee spectator and client group flows from transport hubs and parking areas to seating, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
- Ensure readiness of the stadium areas (such as Dressing rooms, competition related BOH areas, offices, overlay commodities)
Functional Area Coordination
- Follow up with functional areas on outstanding operational points, ensuring timely resolution.
- Act as a liaison between functional leads, supporting communication and problem-solving.
- Monitor ground operations during events and proactively identify risks, providing immediate solutions.
Team & Workforce Management
- Organize and distribute daily run sheets, ensuring clear allocation of responsibilities and timelines.
- Supervise and support venue operations staff, volunteers, and contractors, ensuring accountability and effective performance.
- Deliver pre-event training, daily briefings, and debriefings for the venue operations team.
- Foster a collaborative and positive operational culture aligned with FIFA’s values and standards.
Administrative & Communication Support
- Manage venue operations administrative tasks, ensuring all documentation is accurate and accessible.
- Prepare meeting agendas, take notes, track action items, and ensure follow-ups are completed.
- Maintain up-to-date venue contact lists (staff, vendors, stakeholders).
- Oversee meeting room bookings and provide logistical support for venue meetings.
- Manage the MS Teams channel for venue operations, ensuring key documents and communications are uploaded and well organized.
Readiness & Reporting
- Support and participate in readiness exercises, simulations, and rehearsals.
- Compile and submit operational reports to the Venue Operations Director and Headquarters.
- Document lessons learned and ensure continuous improvement in operational processes.
Location
This role supports operations across multiple FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities. Not all roles will be required in every Host City.
Current Host Cities include, but are not limited to:
United States:
Atlanta, Georgia · Boston, Massachusetts · Dallas, Texas · Houston, Texas · Kansas City, Missouri · Los Angeles, California · Miami, Florida · New York / New Jersey Area · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · San Francisco, California · Seattle, Washington
Mexico:
Guadalajara, Jalisco · Mexico City · Monterrey, Nuevo León
Canada:
Vancouver, British Columbia
This role supports operations across multiple FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Cities. Not all roles will be required in every Host City.
Current Host Cities include, but are not limited to:
United States:
Atlanta, Georgia · Boston, Massachusetts · Dallas, Texas · Houston, Texas · Kansas City, Missouri · Los Angeles, California · Miami, Florida · New York / New Jersey Area · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania · San Francisco, California · Seattle, Washington
Mexico:
Guadalajara, Jalisco · Mexico City · Monterrey, Nuevo León
Canada:
Vancouver, British Columbia
Your Profile
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Event Operations, Business Administration, Facility Management, or related field preferred.
- Equivalent professional experience in venue operations, stadium management, live event production, or major events accepted.
Work Experience
- Experience in venue or stadium operations for major events, sports competitions, entertainment venues, or large-scale live operations.
- Proven ability to coordinate cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment.
- Experience working with operational command centers (SOC, TOC, MOC) and incident-logging systems such as WeTrack (preferred).
- Strong administrative and organizational experience with meeting coordination, documentation, and reporting.
Language
- Fluent in English.
- Spanish and/or French proficiency is an asset.
Technology
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Strong experience using Microsoft Teams for operational communication and documentation.
- Familiarity with incident-logging and operations systems (WeTrack or similar).
- Comfortable using stadium communications equipment, radios, and digital scheduling tools.
Equal Opportunities
FIFA26 is a proud equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion and prohibits discrimination of any kind on the basis race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
About FWC2026
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament features 48 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.
This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.
About FIFA
Founded in 1904, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the umbrella organisation of its members, currently 211 national football associations. Its main objectives, enshrined in its statutes, are to develop football around the world, to stage international competitions and to protect the integrity of football (against match manipulation, doping etc.).
FIFA is a truly diverse, modern and multicultural organisation and its primary purpose is to promote football. Over 800 people from 50 nations – 40 per cent of which are women, including the Secretary General – covering a wide variety of professional profiles, work to fulfil that purpose. FIFA’s headquarters are based in Zurich, Switzerland. We have other offices in Zurich, as well as temporary offices around the world.
We are 'living football' – we are committed to the game, to the people, to the planet and to the future. It is what we do. It is why we are here.
Our culture is shaped by fair play, team spirit, diversity, sustainability, transparency and innovation. We live by these values. Regardless of race, religion, national origin, colour, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship – we support diversity; indeed, we consider it to be key to our success.
We are looking for talented and motivated team members who would embrace these values every day, with purpose, passion and pride, in order to make a positive impact on the world of football and beyond.
We offer a unique and exciting work environment with great opportunities for your personal and professional development.
Location