Get paid to watch the World Cup? Yes, it's a real job

FOX Sports, FOX One and Indeed are turning football fandom into a paid gig with the launch of a nationwide search for a “FOX One chief World Cup watcher hired through Indeed.”

The role, created for the FIFA World Cup 2026, offers a US$50,000 salary and tasks one selected candidate with watching all 104 matches of the tournament live across 39 days, streamed in 4K on FOX One.

The hired fan will do so from a custom-built viewing office in New York City’s Times Square, designed as a public-facing “dream watch space” surrounded by thousands of daily commuters and tourists. FOX Sports said the role is designed to elevate fandom into a cultural performance, turning solo viewing into a continuous 104-match public watch party.

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A launch video starring actor Keyla Monterroso Mejia and produced by Shadow Lion supports the campaign, positioning the role as part job listing, part cultural experiment, and part fandom theatre.

According to a statement, the “Chief World Cup watcher” role goes beyond passive viewing. The selected candidate will be expected to create and share social content throughout the tournament, capturing live reactions, emotional moments and match-day energy in real time.

FOX Sports said the aim is to find someone who can embody the highs and lows of global football fandom, while documenting it as an always-on creator narrative. Indeed’s hiring technology will be used to identify candidates, with applicants required to update their profiles and signal their interest directly on the platform.

To be considered, fans must set their profiles to “open to opportunities,” highlight relevant content creation or storytelling experience, and submit a short video on social media explaining why they are the right fit, using the hashtag #ChiefWorldCupWatcher.

FOX Sports said the match-making process is designed to surface not just traditional talent, but cultural superfans who can translate live sport into digital storytelling at scale. The chosen candidate will be revealed live on June 6 during FOX’s broadcast of the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees game, ahead of the tournament kickoff.

Their tenure will begin a week before the World Cup starts and continue until 26 July, extending slightly beyond the final match to capture post-tournament reflection and wrap-up content.

"This FIFA World Cup will be a historic tournament that calls for an equally historic hire," said Robert Gottlieb, president, marketing, FOX Sports. "One engaged applicant will get the job of a lifetime to experience and celebrate every story, every nation and every exhilarating moment that defines the beautiful game." 

James Whitemore, chief marketing officer at Indeed added, "As a leading global hiring platform, matching candidates and employers is at the core of what we do. It’s how we help people find jobs faster and how employers hire more efficiently. This partnership with FOX Sports is a great example of our mission to help people get jobs."

FOX One's CMO Brian Borkowski said the initiative is designed to match the scale and energy of a landmark sporting event, giving a dedicated fan the chance to channel their passion into a bespoke role that spotlights the excitement of the FIFA World Cup.

"We look forward to sharing the thrill of every moment on the pitch through the lens of a devoted World Cup watcher and highly engaging streaming experience," he added.

The football season has also seen brands increasingly place fans at the centre of the narrative. Most recently, Pepsi rolled out its global platform “Pepsi football nation”, bringing together a roster of football stars to spotlight fan culture beyond matchday. Positioned as a multi-year initiative, the platform aims to embed football into everyday life, leaning into the conversations, rituals and rivalries that extend well beyond the 90 minutes on the pitch.

Coca-Cola has also stepped into the conversation with “Uncanned emotions”, its second global brand film for the FIFA World Cup. The spot, part of a three-film series, follows “Bubbling up” and continues the brand’s focus on emotionally charged storytelling around football fandom. While the first instalment centred on anticipation and energy, this chapter zooms in on the raw highs and lows fans experience during live matches.

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