Team & Referee Services – FIFA World Cup 26™ All Host Cities

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.

The Team & Referee Services workforce is responsible for ensuring world-class operational support for all participating Teams and Match Officials across Team Base Camps, Referee Base Camps, Stadiums, and Venue Specific Training Sites during the FIFA World Cup 2026™. The main responsibilities include:

Referee Support & Operations (VRLO, RLOA)

• Act as the main liaison for FIFA Match Officials at the assigned venue from arrival through departure.
• Welcome officials at the airport; coordinate smooth transfers to hotels and training sites.
• Manage daily referee schedules and provide real-time updates to the Referee Liaison Officer (RLO).
• Ensure referee dressing rooms meet FIFA specifications—equipment, supplies, catering, cleanliness.
• Remain stationed in the match officials’ dressing room on matchday as the fixed point of contact.
• Oversee referee group movements, coordinating with Security, Transportation, and Competition Management.
• Coordinate secure transport movements with assigned drivers and police escorts (when applicable).
• Escort referees to venue training sessions and ensure logistics are completed accurately.
• Support referee massage sessions at hotels to ensure safeguarding and compliance.
• Assist in organizing referee events, social activities, training sessions, and the FIFA Referee Cup.
• Manage referee volunteers and Base Camp logistics, ensuring readiness and accurate dissemination of information.
• Attend daily referee planning meetings and escalate issues immediately.

Team Operations & Team Support (TLO, TSVO)

• Team Liaison Officer (TLO)Serve as the primary point of contact for the assigned Team, FIFA, FIFA26, and all relevant stakeholders.
• Accompany the Team from arrival through departure, ensuring seamless operations across all activities.
• Facilitate communication between the Team, FIFA, FIFA26, and Functional Areas.
• Support all daily Team activities including transportation, accommodation, training, medical services, security, media, etc.
• Guide teams through all official FIFA meetings, matchday requirements, and event obligations.
• Manage the Team’s daily schedule, logistics, and operational needs.
• Provide daily updates and issue escalation to the Team Services Coordinator.
• Contribute local knowledge to help teams navigate logistical and cultural aspects of their location.
• Team Services Venue Officer (TSVO)Serve as the primary operational point of contact at assigned Team Base Camp (TBC), Referee Base Camp (RBC), or Venue Specific Training Site (VSTS).
• Ensure all Team Facilities meet FIFA requirements ahead of exclusive use periods.
• Oversee daily operations at the Team Hotel and Training Site.
• Coordinate overlay material deliveries and verify equipment readiness.
• Act as venue manager interfacing with Training Site Authorities and all Functional Areas.
• Lead cross-functional coordination with Pitch Management, Facility Management, Security, Logistics, and others.
• Prepare, coordinate, and accompany Teams on inspection visits.
• Guide FA site visits and support table-top exercises and operational planning.
• Ensure on-site readiness, cleanliness, safety, and operational continuity at all team facilities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration
All Team & Referee Services roles must: 

• Maintain continuous communication with Venue Management, Transportation, Security, Competition Management, Medical, and Guest Operations.
• Participate in venue-level meetings, daily briefings, conference calls, and urgent response discussions.
• Ensure strict compliance with FIFA policies, safeguarding standards, and operational protocols.
• Support incident management and escalate issues per FIFA26 guidelines.
• Maintain collaborative working relationships with hotels, drivers, event suppliers, and external partners

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management, Business Administration, Hospitality, International Relations, Event Management, or related field preferred.
• Equivalent experience in team operations, refereeing operations, or major sporting events is acceptable.

Work Experience

• Experience in team operations, hospitality, logistics, event delivery, or high-performance sports environments.
• Prior involvement with elite sporting events, training sites, team support functions, or referee management is highly advantageous.
• Experience managing schedules, multi-stakeholder communication, and sensitive operational tasks.

Language

• Fluent in English (required)
• Spanish and/or French proficiency is a strong plus

Technology

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Teams, and cloud-based operational tools.
• Ability to work with scheduling platforms, communication dashboards, and operational reporting systems.
• Comfort using venue and transport management systems (VSM, TMS, etc.) is beneficial.