FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hailed the FIFA Volunteer Community as “the most diverse community in the world” after its membership doubled to two million thanks to the record number of applications received to join the Volunteer Programme for the FIFA World Cup 26™.

Representing an all-time record for a sports event, in excess of one million applicants have applied for the 65,000 volunteer roles to be occupied at next year’s global showpiece, raising the number of registered volunteers to the two million mark.

The volunteers hail from 226 countries/territories, with the make-up of the community mirroring the global nature of the modern game.

“We always say at FIFA that football unites the world, and when I go to tournaments and meet you all, I am always greeted by the most incredible range of nationalities, ages, genders, backgrounds and professions,” said the FIFA President.

“We have volunteers from 18- to 92-years-old; we have students starting out their journeys to retirees passing on their skills and experiences; and everybody has a story to tell – it truly is the most diverse community in the world.”

FIFA’s volunteer initiative has been activated at 25 tournaments and events, including the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™ and the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup™ held earlier this year.

All six confederations are represented across the FIFA Volunteer Community. In terms of volunteer numbers by continent, North America leads the way (just over 40%), followed closely by Africa (38%).

With regard to the standings by nationality, US citizens sit top of the pile, accounting for more than 400,000 members of the community, while southern neighbour and FIFA World Cup 26 co-host Mexico claims second spot, with the community featuring over 210,000 Mexican volunteers.

More than 200,000 volunteers hail from Morocco, which is preparing to host the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™ and will co-host the FIFA World Cup 2030™. Next up is the other FIFA World Cup 26 co-host, Canada, while the top six is completed by volunteers from Algeria and Kenya.

Almost 60% of volunteers are aged between 18 and 29, with the vast majority aged 50 or under.

A little over 5% of volunteers are aged from 51 to 92 with these individuals serving as perfect examples that anyone over the age of 18 is able to play their part in making FIFA events a success.

Volunteers at FIFA events have contributed over two million hours to help create some incredible atmospheres and showcase the local cultures of the host countries.

Aligned with the FIFA Volunteer Beat as One™ slogan, volunteers stand hand in hand alongside FIFA tournament staff and officials to carry out a range of tasks, including greeting VIPs, helping fans to find their seats, carrying flags, supporting media representatives and preparing accreditation passes.

“You are so often the first faces fans, players and officials see on their FIFA World Cup journey – as we all go to make memories that will last a lifetime,” said President Infantino.

“We must remember that none of these would be possible without you. We are proud to work alongside you and beat as one.”

Zimbabwe finished the tournament in style, beating Namibia by seven wickets in a thrilling finale at Harare Sports Club.

The hosts ended the T20 Africa Qualifier unbeaten, registering five wins from five matches.

Skipper Sikandar Raza won the toss and elected to field, backing his side’s strength in chasing, which had been a feature throughout the tournament.

Namibia’s innings lacked their usual firepower as they posted 167/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Louren Steenkamp top-scored with 40 from 27 balls, while captain Gerhard Erasmus chipped in with 38.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers, led by strike pacer Richard Ngarava, were impressive once again, with Ngarava claiming 3/26 in his four overs.

In reply, Zimbabwe’s chase got off to a shaky start when in-form opener Brian Bennett, who had been superb all tournament, fell for 15 to the bowling of Ben Shikongo.

Dion Myers and Tadiwanashe Marumani then steadied the innings with a crucial third-wicket partnership worth 88 runs.

Myers was eventually dismissed for 44, but Marumani played a mature innings, anchoring the chase right to the end. He finished unbeaten on 70 and was named Player of the Match.

Ryan Burl provided valuable support with 26 not out, striking the winning boundary as Zimbabwe reached 171/3.

Bennett’s outstanding form throughout the tournament saw him named Player of the Tournament after amassing 314 runs in five innings.

Picture by Wonder Mashura

Zimbabwe stretched their unbeaten run in the T20 Africa World Cup Qualifiers to 4/4 after beating Kenya by 7 wickets in the semifinals at Harare Sports Club, booking their ticket to the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be hosted in Sri Lanka and India.

The Chevrons will now face Namibia in the final on 4 October at 2 pm at Harare Sports Club. With both teams already qualified, the final will be about bragging rights and the battle to be crowned continental champions.

Kenya won the toss and elected to bat on a sunny Thursday in Harare. The flat wicket looked good for batting, but the East Africans never really got going, finishing on 122/6 in their allotted 20 overs.

Rakep Patel was the only batsman who offered real resistance, top-scoring with 65 off 47 balls. Sachin Gill (19) and Jaraj Kundi (13) also managed double figures, but Zimbabwe’s bowlers kept things tight.

Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the attack, taking 2 wickets for 19 runs in 4 overs at an economy of 4.75. Brad Evans was also tidy with 1/21, while Richard Ngarava finished with 1/31.

Zimbabwe’s top order, which has been in blazing form all tournament, set the tone once again. The dependable Brian Bennett struck his ninth T20 half-century, scoring 51 before falling to spinner Vraj Patel. It was Bennett’s third Player of the Match award in four games.

Together with Tadiwanashe Marumani (39), Bennett shared a 78-run opening stand off just 38 balls that put Zimbabwe firmly in control. Marumani, who looked set for a fifty of his own, fell trying to clear the ropes once too often.

The Chevrons chased down the target comfortably in just 15 overs, finishing on 123/3, with Ryan Burl unbeaten on 16 and hitting the winning runs.

After missing out on the 2024 edition in the USA and West Indies, Zimbabwe will feel relieved and vindicated as they return to where they believe they belong the T20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe maintained their perfect record in the Africa T20 Cup Qualifiers with another commanding performance, crushing Tanzania by 113 runs at Harare Sports Club.

Tanzania won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit the early morning swing. The hosts, however, had other ideas as the in form Brian Bennett and Tadiwanashe Marumani got off to a flying start.

The pair shared a blistering 138-run opening stand off just 78 balls before Marumani fell for 49, one run short of a deserved half century.

Bennett continued his assault on the Tanzanian attack, powering to his maiden T20 international century.

He top-scored with a magnificent 111 from 60 deliveries before eventually losing his wicket. Zimbabwe finished strongly, posting a formidable 221 for 5 in their 20 overs.

Tanzania’s bowlers struggled to contain the flow of runs, with Khalidy Juma and Ally Kimote taking two wickets apiece, though both went at more than 10 runs per over.

In reply, Zimbabwe’s seamers kept the pressure on from the outset. Brad Evans was outstanding, taking 4 wickets for 16 runs in his four overs at an economy rate of 4.00.

Richard Ngarava chipped in with 2 wickets while Tinotenda Maposa claimed 1, as Tanzania were bowled out for 108 in 18.4 overs.

The emphatic win ensured Zimbabwe finished top of Group B and advanced to the semifinals unbeaten. They will face Nigeria on 2 October at 1:50 pm in the second semifinal, while Namibia take on Tanzania in the first.

The winners of the two semifinals will meet in the final on Saturday, 4 October, with a place at the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka and India at stake.