Can you imagine a volunteer travelling over 16,000 kilometres to come to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup™? This is just one of many noteworthy facts to arise from the tournament’s Volunteer Campaign.

This volunteer from Masterton in New Zealand is one of 17,040 people that will make up the 33rd team at the World Cup and the organisers’ indispensable assistants. Their task is not only to help organizers but also to create an amazing atmosphere at the competition through smiles, friendliness and a cheerful disposition. The team of volunteers have been drawn from 112 countries all over the world, range in age from 18 to 80 and include a grandmother and grandson, a former player for FK Rostselmash (today’s FK Rostov) and Servette FC in Switzerland, an oil tanker captain and many others.

The Russia 2018 Volunteer Campaign set a new record in FIFA World Cup history for volunteer applications, as 176,870 people expressed an interest in helping out at the tournament. Those who passed the selection process are now buzzing with excitement.

“The football World Cup in my own country means a lot to me because, I not only get to test myself, but also work on behalf of my beloved city, reveal a new aspect of it and fully show our hospitality,” said 20-year-old Anastasiya Govorkova from Nizhny Novgorod. “I want to show what I’m capable of and how important it is to make a small but personal contribution to the World Cup.”

"Volunteering has been one of the best experiences of my life. Last year I got to know Moscow, as part of the team for the Final Draw of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and I discovered a lovely city. I also found the Russian people very kind and hospitable", 33-year-old Andrey Hernandez from Costa Rica went on the add. "For the 2018 FIFA World Cup, I hope to meet my Russian friends again and make new ones. For me, being part of an international sporting event has been one of my biggest dreams. And now with the event involving both football and Russia, the dream is getting even better. In the summer of 2018, I hope to give the best of myself as a volunteer for the good of the game. See you at FIFA World Cup Russia 2018!"

"I'd like to congratulate everyone who made it onto the team and will help ensure the World Cup in Russia is of the very highest standard. The volunteers will create the unique atmosphere of this festival of football,” said the CEO of the Russia 2018 Local Organising Committee Alexei Sorokin. “For those who weren’t selected to be volunteers at the World Cup, you need not feel disappointed: you’re also a part of this tournament, as you showed interest and courage. It’s important to note that the Volunteer Programme at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia will be an important part of the competition’s legacy because the Volunteer Centres set up specially in every Host City will continue their work after the tournament as well.”

During the World Cup, volunteers will provide support to the organisers in 20 functional areas, including ceremonies, transport, media operations, language services, spectators services and so on.

Over the next few months, the volunteers will undergo an instruction course, practise during warm-up matches at FIFA World Cup stadiums and also attend various training days at tournament sites.