Two American soccer fans have been hired to watch all 104 matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as part of a unique promotional effort by one of the tournament’s broadcasters. Austin Franklin, 29, and Kevin Akoto, 26, were selected from thousands of applicants to serve as “chief World Cup watchers” during the month-and-a-half event hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The pair are stationed inside a transparent, glass-walled studio cube located in the heart of Manhattan’s Times Square. The space is equipped with two 85-inch televisions, a foosball table, an astroturf rug, and walls decorated with scarves representing various national teams. The setup draws crowds of onlookers who gather around to watch the games alongside Franklin and Akoto, who watch the matches while relaxing on sofas inside the enclosure.
Fox, a major broadcaster for the tournament, is paying each man $50,000 for the role, which requires them to watch every match over a 39-day period. Akoto, who is originally from Florida, left his previous job and ended a personal relationship to take on this position. He acknowledged the challenges but described the role as a dream job. “There’s obviously some games that are duds—that’s gonna happen, obviously, but you have your exciting games as well,” he said.
The experience has provided memorable moments, including an enthusiastic crowd of hundreds of Brazil supporters that gathered outside the cube, creating a festive atmosphere. Franklin recalled the excitement, noting, “The Brazil fans were just incredible, happy, good vibes—a good time. That’s just a memory I’ll have with me for the rest of my life.” During Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, Akoto, sporting a Portugal cap, celebrated Cristiano Ronaldo’s opening goal and highlighted his dedication by building a “CR7” Lego set.
Despite their demanding viewing schedule, the two men say they have developed a positive working relationship. Akoto described Franklin as a source of encouragement, contrasting his own more negative outlook with Franklin’s upbeat energy. To stay engaged during less eventful moments such as hydration breaks or halftime, the cube is stocked with distractions including a soccer trivia quiz and Uno cards.
Franklin, who comes from Massachusetts, expressed enthusiasm for the group stage’s final day, when two matches will be broadcast simultaneously. “There is a certain energy around having a World Cup in your country,” he said. “And who knows, we’ll see what the United States can do here.” The pair’s unique role highlights the growing enthusiasm for the World Cup on American soil and adds a human element to the global sporting event.