In KC, 2026 World Cup volunteers hit with FIFA frustration. ‘It’s such a struggle’

Tech can be a pain. So, too, waiting.

By all accounts, it has been for many of the 6,000 or so people willing to volunteer in Kansas City for the monthlong 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins in mid-June, and for whom initial excitement has turned to frustration.

“It’s such a struggle. Why does it have to be such a struggle? At this point, if it doesn’t improve, I’m ready to say F you,” said one Kansas City volunteer who, like others, asked to remain anonymous so as not to jeopardize their opportunity to be part of Kansas City’s World Cup experience.

Complaints, which in the last day have spilled into social media on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Volunteer Facebook page, have little to do with the human volunteer coordinators in Kansas City who, since March, have been running trainings at the volunteer headquarters at Union Station.

2026 FIFA World Cup in Kansas City

The main problem, volunteers said, has been with FIFA’s online “e-learning” portal and other tech issues, such as being able to sign up for volunteers shifts, or scheduling a time to pick up uniforms.

“It’s been somewhat disorganized,” another volunteer said, “there was not a lot of great communication in terms of letting people know what was going on.”

Example: One volunteer said it took them a month of trying before they were able to access the dozen or so e-learning modules that FIFA put online and which all volunteers were required to complete. The volunteer repeatedly emailed for help. It repeatedly did not work. Kansas City coordinators recommended the volunteer contact FIFA. FIFA, in turn, pointed the volunteer back to Kansas City.

Instructed to sign up for shifts, the volunteer tried. The system didn’t allow it. Then, later, it did. Then came instructions to sign up to pick a uniform. All the spaces were taken.

Woes expressed on Facebook

“Is anyone in Kansas City having a difficult time selecting and Accreditation and Uniform Time?” a volunteer asked Monday on the FIFA World Cup 2026 Volunteer Facebook page. “It’s showing that every time slot is booked until June 7. . .Just wondering.”

The post generated 27 comments including one stating, “it’s a system wide glitch across multiple u s host cities. . . .I emailed volunteer support. . .and they are working to fix it.”

A post from a volunteer in Dallas titled, “Stuck in limbo as FIFA 2026 Dallas volunteer,” seemed to confirm as much.

It reads: “Dallas can anyone help, or confirm being in the same situation? Not being able to schedule shifts or getting uniform info? I’m a host city management volunteer for Dallas. I accepted my role and completed e-learning weeks ago. I haven’t received any emails or any updates since ‘The crowd is going wild’ message, saying I’m officially a volunteer.”

Another volunteer responded: “Patience there is a system issue causing problems.”

The Star reached out to a FIFA spokesman for a comment on technological matters or other complaints, but did not receive a response.

No troubles. Once in a lifetime.

Some volunteers’ complaints online are personal, including from people who express how they are not thrilled about their shifts or volunteer assignments.

Others like Teresa, a volunteer who on Tuesday arrived at Union Station for her noon training, are taking matters in stride, and were judicious in their criticism.

“You know,“ she said. “I think a lot of people had some expectations of how it was going to be. I think it will end up just fine.”

She acknowledged that some people had troubles with the FIFA online portal and with e-learning. “Once I saw that there was a little slide bar on the right, I was able to finish them all without absolutely no problem at all. I didn’t have any problem with the training.”

Her reason for volunteering for World Cup in Kansas City has not changed.

“Once in a lifetime,” she said.