The Russia 2018 Local Organising Committee is issuing a first call for volunteers with the recruitment campaign for the Preliminary Draw opening on FIFA.com.
As only a total of 300 volunteers are required for the first official 2018 FIFA World Cup™ event on Russian soil, the process will be closed once 2,000 applications have been reached. The application is open to everyone, but a priority will be given to Russian-speaking persons and residents in St. Petersburg. Candidates should be aged 18 and over, speak English and possess effective teamwork skills. Previous volunteering experience will be an additional advantage.
Volunteers are the backbone of staging any major sporting event in the world. Organising a truly inspiring tournament such as the FIFA World Cup would never be possible without the efforts and passion of those committed to volunteering. Volunteers offer event organisers a wide range of skills to assist with multiple tasks such as running competitions, providing services for participants, sponsors and spectators, working with media and security organisations.
The primary role of volunteers is to help create a positive and supportive environment for everybody involved in the event. With their helpfulness and friendliness, volunteers contribute to every aspect of the event including the players' and spectators' experience, working with team officials, VIP guests or media representatives.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup Preliminary Draw will take place on 25 July 2015 at the Konstantinovsky Palace in St. Petersburg and will be the first big test for Russia 2018's volunteers who will play a key part in making a success of the event, which will be attended by around 800 journalists and more than 1,000 guests, including sports stars and celebrities.
The official volunteer programme for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017 and the 2018 FIFA World Cup is scheduled to be launched in June 2015, with around 20,000 volunteers expected to be recruited to work ahead of and during the tournaments. For three years to come, the programme will see volunteer centres set up in all 11 host cities, a common information space created, volunteers selected and trained, and their work organised. The range of functions to be performed by volunteers is very broad, and will include various roles, from working with spectators, staging ceremonies and providing language services to organising transport, accommodation and medical care.
Becoming a volunteer for Russia 2018 will be a unique opportunity to be part of one of the world's greatest sporting events and contribute to creating an unforgettable festive atmosphere.