SOCCER: World Cup's 'Chief Watchers' savour tournament's dream job

NEW YORK — World Cup fans Kevin Akoto and Austin Franklin have turned a dream into reality by watching every match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup from start to finish — and getting paid to do it.

Serving as the "Chief World Cup Watchers" for U.S. broadcaster Fox One, the pair will complete their unique assignment after Sunday's final between Spain and Argentina, having watched all 104 matches of the tournament.

Franklin, a Los Angeles-based content creator, said the experience has been unlike anything he imagined.

"My dad cleans up oil spills for a living," Franklin said. "I sit here with my friend Kevin and watch all of these matches and get to go outside and interact with fans."

On matchdays, Akoto and Franklin watch games from a glass-walled viewing cube in New York City's Times Square, where tourists and soccer fans often stop to watch the action and interact with them.

Each watcher is being paid $50,000 for covering the entire tournament.

Throughout the World Cup, the pair has shared content across social media, offering match commentary, behind-the-scenes moments, and engaging with followers.

Akoto, who left his job as a line cook in Florida to take the role, said social media has changed how fans experience sports.

"If we've seen anything throughout this World Cup, it's that people are consuming sports more through social media," Akoto said. "The more behind-the-scenes stuff is how people are consuming sports content."

Despite watching every match of the expanded 48-team tournament, both said they would gladly take on the role again — even if FIFA eventually increases the tournament to 64 teams.

"I don't think we're sick of watching soccer yet," Franklin said. "However many more they want to give us, we'll watch them."

-Reporting by Ethan Plotkin and Jenna Zucker; Editing by Peter Rutherford/Reuters.