Dream Job for World Cup Fans: Two American Fans to Watch All 104 Matches for $50,000

2026 World Cup Key News

NEW YORK, June 23 (CNA) -- Two American men have been selected to watch all 104 matches of the World Cup over 39 days and will be paid $50,000 (approximately NT$1.59 million) for the job. This might be the best job in the world, and for these two, it's a task they enjoy.

According to Agence France-Presse, 29-year-old Austin Franklin and 26-year-old Kevin Akoto are fulfilling their dream assignment in a temporary "fishbowl" studio with three glass walls in the heart of Times Square, New York.

Enthusiastic fans gathered around the rectangular glass house, watching the matches on two 85-inch televisions, while Franklin and Akoto comfortably watched from sofas inside.

Akoto, from Florida, quit his job and broke up with his partner to take on the role of "Chief World Cup Watcher." The position aims to generate excitement for the World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

"The boss was very understanding, but the other party (his partner) wasn't as accommodating, but that's okay," Akoto said today.

"Some matches were indeed boring, which is inevitable, but there were also exciting games," Akoto said.

Franklin and Akoto's compensation is paid by Fox, one of the broadcast partners. The two were selected from thousands of fans who submitted video applications.

The rectangular studio also features a foosball table, small tables with sofa stools, artificial turf carpeting, and colorful scarves from various national teams hanging on the walls.

This eye-catching job has brought them many unforgettable moments, including hundreds of Brazilian fans gathering in front of their booth, and even a woman throwing a shoe at their booth.

"The Brazilian fans were really great, happy, and the atmosphere was good. It was a wonderful time. This will be a memory for my lifetime," Franklin said.

Akoto, wearing a Portugal hat today, watched the match between Portugal and Uzbekistan and assembled a LEGO model of Cristiano Ronaldo.

He excitedly shouted, "Finally broke the duck, what a beautiful goal!" when Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo scored. Portugal eventually won 5-0.

Despite having to watch matches marathon-style, the two emphasized that they don't get tired of watching games together every day.

"I'm a pretty passive person. It feels great to have someone very positive, with a slightly different personality, who brings energy," Akoto said about his new partner.

If the hydration breaks, video replays, or performance segments are a bit dull, the studio also has a World Cup trivia game and UNO cards to pass the time.

Franklin, from Massachusetts, said he was "very excited to watch two games at once" when the group stage neared its end and two matches kicked off simultaneously.

"There's a special atmosphere when the World Cup is held in your own country. Who knows, maybe the US will perform brilliantly, we'll have to wait and see," he said. (Compiled by Lu Ying-tzu) 0624

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