MIAMI — FIFA opened the World Cup 2026 volunteer center on Monday at the Brightline MiamiCentral Station in Downtown Miami

Rodney Barreto, the chairman of the FIFA host committee in Miami, said the center will be used to train thousands of volunteers.

“It starts at the airport, all the people using our airport, using our hotels, using our restaurants, the amount of social media and exposure we get,” Barreto said.

FIFA announced there will be 65,000 volunteers working 8-hour shifts at 16 host cities in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.

“Knowing that World Cup, coming to the United States, is a first, and having third-place final games to be played here is exciting as well,” Eric Romeo, a volunteer, said at the center on Monday.

There will be seven matches at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. FIFA announced four: Uruguay is set to play against Saudi Arabia on June 15 and against Cape Verde on June 21.

Brazil plays against Scotland on June 24, and Colombia plays against Portugal on June 27. There is a Round of 32 match on July 3, the quarterfinal on July 11, and the bronze final on July 18.

Despite criticism over the use of free labor, FIFA relies on volunteers for roles like guest services, accreditation, and logistics.

FIFA’s critics include the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, and the American Civil Liberties Union

“The men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup is an opportunity to implement a new model for FIFA events that supports strong worker rights protections and ensures that working people and communities benefit,” Cathy Feingold, the international director at the AFL-CIO, recently wrote in a statement.

For more information about the FIFA World Cup’s volunteer program, visit this page.

Local 10 News Digital Journalist Andrea Torres contributed to this report.

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