With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to stretch across North America next summer, FOX Sports has opened applications for an unusual temporary position that turns marathon soccer viewing into full-time work.

The broadcaster says it is looking for a “Chief World Cup Watcher,” a fan who will spend seven weeks watching all 104 matches of the tournament while stationed inside a transparent office in New York’s Times Square. The role pays $50,000 and runs from June 6 through July 29.

According to the job description, the selected candidate will be relocated to New York for the duration of the assignment. Housing will be provided, though the viewing itself will take place from a custom-built plexiglass workspace placed in public view in one of the city’s busiest tourist areas.

The position comes with demands beyond simply following the matches. FOX Sports notes that the tournament schedule will require extended viewing sessions, including late nights and weekend hours as games are played across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The public nature of the setup also appears central to the concept. The listing describes the experience as akin to “living in a zoo exhibit,” though with climate control and internet access, while thousands of pedestrians are expected to pass by the enclosure daily.

The successful applicant is expected to react openly to the emotional swings of the tournament, from dramatic late goals to penalty shootouts and eliminations. The broadcaster also places strong emphasis on social media presence and comfort in front of a camera.

The description states that applicants should be capable of creating daily social content across platforms and interacting naturally on camera. FOX Sports further suggests the role may involve appearances alongside celebrities or sports figures visiting the viewing space during the tournament.

While knowledge of soccer is relevant, the posting appears more focused on personality, audience engagement and online presence than technical analysis of the sport itself. The tone of the listing leans heavily into entertainment and digital culture, reflecting the broader way major sporting events are increasingly packaged for social media audiences alongside traditional broadcasts.

Applications for the role are currently open through Indeed, with the tournament itself expected to become one of the largest World Cups ever staged, expanding to 104 matches across three host nations.

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For now, the opening stands out less as a conventional sports media role and more as a sign of how live events, online personalities and fan culture continue to merge ahead of global tournaments.