New York – 06/10/2026: In the heart of New York City, on the bustling Times Square, stands a glass cube that will become the center of the soccer world in the coming weeks. Here sit Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto, two American influencers and passionate soccer fans, who were chosen as “Chief World Cup Watchers.” Their task: to watch live in 4K all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 – from the opening game to the final.
FOX Sports and Indeed are funding this unique project, which gives fans worldwide new insights behind the scenes. Franklin and Akoto each receive a payment of $50,000 for their commitment. In addition to intensely watching the matches, they regularly produce content via social media and interact with a large online community.
Austin Franklin describes the project as “surreal”: “Watching every World Cup game live and sharing these experiences with fans worldwide is a real dream. I look forward to experiencing and conveying the emotions and highlights up close.” Kevin Akoto also emphasizes the uniqueness of his job: “This is truly the dream job for soccer fans: to watch the entire World Cup from a prime seat and be part of a major event. I can hardly wait to get started.”
The FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on June 11 with the opening match between Mexico and South Africa at the famous Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. A total of 48 teams will play 104 games across the USA, Canada, and Mexico – the biggest tournament in the history of soccer.
The glass cube at Times Square not only provides an extraordinary eye-catcher for visitors and passersby but also serves as a digital communication center where Franklin and Akoto share their impressions live. The initiative targets soccer enthusiasts who want easy and intense access to all games and the atmosphere of a major international event despite geographical distance.
From an organizational point of view, this project is unprecedented, as it combines modern media presence with traditional soccer fever. Through the combination of live experience, social media interaction, and high-resolution broadcasts, a new kind of experience emerges for viewers, showcasing the future of soccer.
In the coming weeks, fans can follow nearly all dramatic moments, goals, and surprises of the World Cup in real-time on the channels of the two influencers – with the added advantage that Franklin and Akoto, as passionate fans and experienced content creators, react immediately to events and share their enthusiasm.