r/FIFAVolunteers

After seeing the reviews from the volunteer events in Canada, I wanted to share what we experienced at the Miami volunteer thank-you event.

I arrived at 11:45am for for the scheduled thank you event that started at noon. I certainly didn’t expect to be let in early.

Instead of an organized check-in, well over a thousand volunteers were packed together in the Miami sun with almost no communication. We weren’t in a line. we were essentially one giant crowd being herded toward a single entrance.

Meanwhile, the general public, who weren’t even allowed into Fan Fest until 3:00 p.m., seemed to have a more organized queue than the volunteers. (They also made it abundantly clear to use prior to and during the event that if we wanted to attend fan fest after we not only had to exit and then queue for general admission but we also needed to change out of the uniform they required us to wear )

people finally started trickling at 12:28. I was finally in at 12:40

We repeatedly heard announcements reminding everyone to stay hydrated, but it wasn’t at all clear where volunteers were supposed to get water. The only water I personally received came from a volunteer lead pulling a wagon through the crowd only once in the event.

Once inside, the confusion continued. Every few minutes the process seemed to change. You needed tickets…then you didn’t. You needed a ticket for a bracelet…then bracelets were handed out without tickets. Lines formed with no explanation, and different volunteers were giving completely different answers depending on who you asked., volunteer continually offered to help distribute and organize things and leads were reluctant but ultimately allowed us to help distribute items, and things finally started moving.

Once the initial chaos settled, the event itself was genuinely enjoyable (minus the Miami heat) There was a decent variety of food, music, performers, face painting, patches, plain microfiber towels, premade charm bracelets, and commiserating with fellow volunteers

Then, around 1:40 p.m., they announced the raffle was canceled with little explanation, and shortly afterward everyone received a notification through the app to leave because the event would end at 2:00 p.m. due to excessive heat. Was it excessively hot? Yes. But is it July in Miami? Yes.

I knew when we were standing outside and they started 30 mins late that they would still be kicking us out by 2 because fan fest admission started at 3. There were at least 5 different ambulances called for people passing out in the short two hours we were there.

So my question is how long was this raffle going to be that they couldn’t just call out a couple numbers and what are they going to do with all the items they planned to giveaway?

the first hour was, without question, the most disorganized event experience I’ve ever experienced. Better communication, better crowd management, and better access to water would have made an enormous difference. The volunteers deserved a much thank you. But I now that I’m in the air conditioning and hydrating with my charm bracelet and free patches I’m in a much better mood. An hour ago I would have been much harsher

Lost my badge last shift and I have one more shift left. But where do I go and how do I go about it.

I think After this year, as long as Everyone who was a volunteer actually gives constructive criticism, the FIFA Volunteer Program itself needs an overhaul. Communication I know is 10000% a core issue they have. They know that Even during the CWC it was an issue.

Uniform Distribution: As a Uniform Volunteer, I guess I was lucky that I was able to change my Jacket from the size my shirt was but Telling People oh the jacket will fit since it went by the shirt size was a big issue especially with females with large ladies. Also UNLESS you had a Medical or Religious Reason, Everyone had to take only 1 pair of pants and short. I believe Volunteer should have the option for either one of each or two of one of them.

Roles: FIFA did have a thing to describe each role with each location it will be at. I think there a lot of roles that absolutely made no sense. Roles that I personally think that shouldn't be a volunteer role. Making a General Role so everyone can have a chance to be apart of it would help out more. Also Gives every Volunteer a chance of being a Highlighted member of the community. In my own opinion, HCA and Stadium Volunteer are Highlighted a lot .

COMMUNICATION: So For us in NY/NJ Uniform, We had No Former way of communicating with the leads or anyone from FIFA. Hearing Other Roles have it was like WTAF! I have done Volunteering for year in different event and such And Never had such a bad way of it.

I have been emailing support services and going back and forth with them and they told me that I had an appointment already made for today to go to the Volunteer Centre to pick up my stuff however I did not.
There was no email, no notification or schedule in my FIFA App but decided to take the hour drive there only to find the Volunteer Centre closed. I then also drove to the Toronto Stadium as they also had a volunteer centre only to find that one closed too.

I was selected as a volunteer for Vancouver but live in Toronto so I won’t be there until the 12th which is a couple days before I start. I’d initially selected a date to pick up my uniform by July 1st thinking I’d be able to change the date. On the website there’s a section for “I missed my pick up date what do I do” except the answer is still “more details to come” has anyone been able to show up and pick up same day without a scheduled slot? What’s your pick up process been like? Should I just email and request a pick up time?

I hadn't though to fit before but live not far and would be down to volunteer doing almost anything.

Is it still possible? I'm not set up as a volunteer or trained or anything by FIFA yet.

Now that I'm done with my shifts, I don't care anymore. I'm trying to compile everything bad that volunteers had to go through in our city at the hands of management.

Comment or DM, anything you say can remain entirely anonymous, I'm just trying to gather as many perspectives as possible in a huge open letter.

If you have anything you'd like to complain about, I'm happy to listen.

Since everyone is sharing feedback, I thought I’d share my overall Dallas experience as well.

At first, whenever I read posts here about toxic leads and poor management, I used to think, “No way, it can’t be that bad.” Well, guess what? I ended up having a very similar experience.

When I started, our shift leads were great. They were friendly, organized, and respectful. Then for some reason they got replaced, and the environment completely changed. Some of the new leads seem more interested in telling people what to do than actually helping volunteers.

One example happened during the Argentina vs. Jordan match. My assignment was to stand near a gate entrance and welcome fans, which was actually a pretty enjoyable task. Our shift lead had already assigned us our positions.

Then a bald guy who was clearly in a more senior position came over and started telling us, “Don’t you know you’re supposed to be standing outside on the road with those signs?”

Well… no, we didn’t know that.
And that’s exactly the point. Instead of speaking to the person who assigned us there, he came straight to the volunteers. To me, that just showed how much miscommunication and mismanagement there was behind the scenes.

We then got moved outside into the heat to do crowd control on the road. Some people talk to volunteers as if we’re highly paid employees. We’re volunteers. Most of us are just trying to help and follow the instructions we’re given.

And apparently I wasn’t the only one. A few other volunteers told me that the same guy had also made them move outside and stand on the road as well.

Another issue has been the food. I’ve heard that volunteers in some locations received coupons and other perks. In Dallas, I’ve personally seen none of that. From my first shift until now, it’s mostly been the same cold wrap, salad, and occasionally cookies. One day the wrap was so bad that I couldn’t even finish it.

I don’t need coupons or free gifts, but at least provide decent food. Honestly, the best thing in the volunteer lounge has probably been the unlimited Coke machine lol.

The most positive part of the experience has been meeting great people and interacting with fans from all over the world. That’s easily been the highlight for me.
One thing that still makes me laugh is seeing some volunteers act like assistant managers. I’ve literally seen volunteers directing other volunteers, telling people where to stand, where to line up, and when to leave the stadium. I couldn’t help but laugh because, at the end of the day, we’re all volunteers.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed meeting people and being part of the event, but the leadership experience has definitely gone downhill compared to when I first started. The difference between the original leads and some of the newer ones has honestly felt like night and day.

I’d be interested to hear how it’s been for everyone else. Feel free to share both the good and bad.

I finished my last shift. There is a bittersweet ending to this. I waited since it was announced the US would be co hosts to go to a World Cup game. I tried all the ways to go but the ticket prices were outrageous. I saw an opportunity to volunteer and jumped on it. I filled out the application and waited. And waited. And waited. Got a message to come in for a “conversation” that was an interview. Went home and waited.

Months passed and I got notified I was offered a role. Transport. What the hell does that mean? Sooo much time passed again and finally go to a training to learn what I will be doing. I’ll be guiding people to buses from the fan fest. Ok. That’s fine. It’s not as “prestigious” as being at the stadium or on the field for ceremonies, but at least it’s something.

On-site training day arrived. Was told wear comfy shoes we will be walking. Wrong. There was walking from where I parked to a shady spot. Then things were pointed at and we were told the same thing we were at the role specific training. After that I went home.

First shift on day 1 of the tournament and fan fest. Arrived on time. Sat in a tent for an hour. The orange vests (supervisors or leads) were unaware the volunteers shift started so early. The hour was them figuring out what to do. Finally the 15 people for the shift were walked down a long line of fans to act as crowd control. One orange vest to volunteer. An hour later I had no idea where my orange vest lead went. I was trying to answer questions I had no answers too. I was trying to figure things out with ZERO guidance. As someone that works customer service it was disgusting to not know what to tell people. An hour before shift end the orange vest showed up and told me I could go take a lunch. Gee…thanks. Finished the shift and went home. Which is hours from the site. Told myself it was day 1 issues that would be figured out my next shift.

Second shift was a week later. Nothing was figured out or fixed. Now the buses don’t run at their scheduled time so most volunteers are late. I arrived an hour later and was told just go out there and find a spot. Again ZERO direction. Basically stood at the buses to do actual transport stuff for the day. It was a waste. Not many people getting off the buses. It was a short shift so thankful for that. Went home and was the only one on the bus. Found out the bus drivers were given routes but kept getting pulled to go to routes they weren’t trained for. Seems a bit off to me. I get dropped off and the 30 people waiting were told they couldn’t ride the bus as the driver hit their limit of driving and required a break due to their license. Seems like a logistical issue.

Third shift again arrived late due to buses not arriving on time. Tried a different bus stop this time. Got to the site and was told to spread out along a steel railing and keep people from jumping it. That was the shift. Crowd control for people that didn’t try to jump a fence all day. Nobody came by with water. Nobody came by to say, take a lunch. Nothing. I had lunch at the end of the shift and left.

Fourth shift. By far the most fun. Found a spot with other volunteers that were having fun and knew something. Time flew that day. Saw no orange vests. Nobody brought any water. Nobody sent us to lunch. We just eventually went. Walked to the entrance to get food and noticed people leaving the fan fest. Likely due to loading for the game. Sat down to eat and saw a sign saying due to the weather they were closing fan fest. Had no idea anything was happening as my spot was in a normal spot but far from fan fest. Getting ready to leave and we get a message of “clear the site.” What does that mean? Head out and see a storm coming. Try to help direct people but had no direction. Sheltered on a bus as it was close and left when the bus left after sheltering the remainder of the shift.

Fifth shift was altered from morning to evening and told if it doesn’t work just withdraw. So withdrew due to distance and time.

Sixth and final shift. It was the same as the rest. Volunteers asking the same questions. Being told to just go somewhere. But this time a cooler of water was nearby. That’s a first. End of shift got my freebies and left. Side note: was given a ride by a volunteer that was at the stadium. Learned in order to get that you have to say you aren’t flexible on your schedule. So the less free you are the better your role. If you are flexible thinking that might get you into the stadium you’d be wrong.

Overall: keep in my this is how I felt throughout this process. I loved volunteering. Enjoyed meeting the other volunteers and fans. The organization sucked. There was high level stuff but nothing that was boots on the ground organized. I very much felt like as transport we were the absolute rejects. Many I met and spoke with were over qualified and misused for our strengths with this. Many had leadership expertise, marketing, brand policing, customer service, logistics, etc. things useful to running a bigger picture. Instead we were informational stations for fans but not provided the information. We had to figure it out ourselves. I heard of other host cities that were treated great. I heard of others having fun and having leads that cared. Some of ours did but at the end of the day we were bodies. Heard an idea that we could have shown up in the area to checked in on the app, stayed or left, and it would have counted as us being there for a shift. All without working at all. That would have been great. Defeats the purpose but that’s how flawed the system was. There were so many logistical issues and nobody seemed to plan ahead. It was all reactionary. Nothing functions well if you only react to problems that could have had a plan. And yes I know you can’t plan for everything. But this is fifa and last I checked this was far from the first World Cup.

I enjoyed volunteering and being a part of the World Cup. However, there were many parts of feeling like we were at the bottom of the barrel that made me wish I hadn’t. To top that off the volunteer appreciation being planned for a weekday evening sucks when you have a lot of people driving hours to volunteer. Especially single parents. I won’t be rushing back to volunteer for FIFA anytime soon. Thanks for the freebies.

Hello I am wondering if I can still participate in this volunteering ? Are applications still open in Toronto?

People who volunteered for both of the events, am curious; did you feel we were treated better at CWC? I feel like they set us up to come back for World Cup and treat us poorly. This experience is world’s different.

Do we need appointment to pick up swag items at Dallas? If anyone can share their experience, that would be great. Thanks!

Thinking if I should go or not?

Really hoping everyone can help me out!

I’m looking to trade Vancouver host city patches for patches from other host cities. I’m trying to collect as many as possible and would really appreciate any trades.

I’ll keep updating this post with the ones I’m still missing.

Please help me out.

✅️Already have it ❌️Still missing

🇨🇦 Canada

✅️Toronto

✅️Vancouver

🇲🇽 Mexico

❌️Guadalajara

❌️Mexico City

❌️Monterrey

🇺🇸 United States

❌️Atlanta

✅️Boston

✅️Dallas

✅️Houston

✅️Kansas City

❌️Los Angeles

✅️Miami

✅️New York/New Jersey

❌️Philadelphia

✅️San Francisco Bay Area

✅️Seattle