This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Juan Guanuna, a 67-year-old FIFA World Cup volunteer, based in Bloomfield, New Jersey. It’s been translated from Spanish to English and edited for length and clarity.
I remember being a kid in Ecuador, watching my dad play soccer every Sunday in Aloag, a town outside Quito, where I grew up. This is where my passion for soccer began.
As I got older, I started competing myself, and was selected to represent my school for six years, up until I graduated.
I was very involved with the sport by the time I came to the United States in 1977. I first lived in California, where for two years I created and coached a team for my local church. In 1993, I moved to the East Coast and didn’t stay as involved with coaching or playing soccer.
Being a World Cup volunteer wasn’t something I planned for. The opportunity presented itself to me.
None of this would’ve happened if I hadn’t opened my computer one night
Last October, I opened my computer to do paperwork and saw an email pop up warning that it was the last day to sign up as a volunteer for the FIFA World Cup. I immediately filled out the application, which took me about 30 minutes.
I had always thought about contributing to soccer in some way, and I thought, This is the opportunity. If I hadn’t opened my computer that night, none of this would have happened. It was a blessing from God.
The good news came on October 16, when I was invited to the tryouts.
When I got there, I was so excited. I did the interview, and I was told that I was probably going to be working at MetLife Stadium. That would have been amazing — being a volunteer for FIFA, experiencing the World Cup final, and possibly meeting and seeing some actual players.
That didn’t end up being the case; in February, I was given the chance to volunteer at Newark Airport instead, and I accepted.
I surprised my kids with the uniforms
On May 23, I picked up my uniform as an official FIFA volunteer for the World Cup. I didn’t tell my daughter or my son, and invited them to come home for a barbecue about a week and a half later.
When they came, we ate, and that was the moment I told them I had the uniforms. I brought the uniforms downstairs and told them, “Here they are, look!”
My daughter, who’s an influencer, filmed me excitedly trying on the uniforms and posted the video on Instagram. It got over 3 million views. Everything that’s seen in the video came directly from my heart; I didn’t even know she had filmed me.
It was very nice to share that moment with my children. It was a happy day, and I felt blessed. It was one more dream I was able to fulfill: to do something for soccer.
“Hello, hello! Welcome to New Jersey!”
Each week, I go to Newark Airport for two days from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. to greet people at arrivals. If people need to get a taxi, figure out where to go, or need any other help, we’re there to help them. My favorite part is greeting people with a smile and making them feel welcome.
“Hello, hello! Welcome to New Jersey!” I say, and they laugh.
As a volunteer, we get uniforms and food, and are compensated for our transportation to the airport. There are three stations, and two people work per station during the morning or the afternoon shift.
Since I own my business — J &G Technical Services, a general machine shop — I decided to volunteer during afternoon shifts, which is when I can typically leave work.
Being a FIFA volunteer is priceless. The fact that we don’t get paid doesn’t bother me at all. Just being a volunteer is more than enough reward.
The first day I got to the airport, I parked my car and got recognized from the video. People wanted to take photos with me. That same day, I went to eat at one of the airport’s restaurants, and heard people chanting, “Ecuador! Ecuador!” and I chanted it back.
The restaurant owner told the waiters, “Make sure you take good care of this gentleman. He’s the one from the video.” I’m overjoyed. I wasn’t expecting so much attention.
I’m grateful to FIFA for accepting my application out of more than a million other people. That’s a great source of excitement, happiness, and pride for me. I think it’s because of the good record I’ve built here in this country.
It feels like a dream, but I’m actually living it
Last Thursday, I arrived home to a box with my name on it. I realized it was a package FIFA had sent me personally when some of my fellow volunteers said they hadn’t received anything.
The card inside said that they had seen the video and loved my energy and enthusiasm. They sent me a few gifts, but what meant the most to me were the handwritten messages from different people on the FIFA volunteer management team.
That was really special; it will be one of the most cherished memories of my life. When I’m older, I’ll show it to my grandchildren, especially the letter.
For the rest of the World Cup, I’ll be rooting for all of the South American teams: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Colombia, and Uruguay. I’m also going to go see the game between Ecuador and Germany in person, to cheer on Ecuador.
I would have loved to go see the final — that would complete my dream. That’s the only thing left on my list.
Still, for me, being a FIFA volunteer is something huge; it’s a great honor. It feels like a dream, but I’m actually living it as my reality.
Do you have a story to share about working behind-the-scenes at the World Cup? Contact this reporter at mros@businessinsider.com.
