FIFA 2026 WC Accreditation Excites Hilary Damissah
For every journalist, some global events or assignments are rare opportunities that often sparks excitements and offer a peak moment in one’s career trajectory. Such a lifetime career opportunity creates unforgettable memories that defines cherished beats the reporter is ever commissioned to cover.
Within the world of sporting events, unarguably two of the standouts are the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.
Little wonder, for Hilary Damissah, a seasoned multimedia journalist and sportscaster with over 25 years experience, getting the FIFA World Cup 2026 accreditation as a volunteer is one of elation and soothing fulfillment having started out as a sports reporter at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Ibadan in the 90s.
With barely a few days to the official kick off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stage is set for the first of its kind Mundial to be hosted by three countries; the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. The global soccer governing body is putting final seamless plans in place for the showpiece.
Although Nigeria’s Super Eagles failed to qualify for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup despite the newly expanded 48 nations soccer tournament. Nevertheless, a few Nigerians will still play some important roles in different capacity at the world’s biggest soccer tournament.
Hilary Damissah joins a global diversity team selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteers to assist in key areas of ensuring a smooth and memorable World Cup.
After passing different layers of a very rigorous FIFA screening procedures, a thorough background check and online assessment, besides other requirements, Hilary Damissah, a versatile and seasoned journalist with experience in print, broadcast, digital media and public relations was among applicants who made the final quota for the FIFA World Cup 2026 Volunteers.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 Volunteer Community is the largest in the history of the organization with a team of over 60,000 volunteers who will commit to a minimum of 8 shifts of at least 6 hours per schedule.
In return, participants receive an official multi-piece uniform, exclusive event merchandise, certification, and meals during their shifts. Role Assignments are staggered across 23 functional areas, including media operations, hospitality, transportation, and guest services at official sites.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Volunteer Accreditation adds to a litany of international profile events that
Hilary Damissah has built over time with his global experiences at multi-sectorial events which includes strategic partnerships and participation as Team Lead for Nigeria-Anglophone West Africa at CABSAT 2016, Dubai World Trade Center, United Arab Emirates, media delegate for the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World, Bangkok Thailand 2013,
Samsung African Forum, Cape Town South Africa 2012 and the Ghana-Nigeria Tourism and Culture Showcase which he coordinated for three editions among other numerous international and local events.
Significantly, Hilary will be stationed at the sprawling 72,000 capacity NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas which will host 7 matches including 5 group games, one round of 32 and another round of 16 game. Interestingly, Nigeria’s Achilles heel and nemesis at the final qualifying rounds Congo DR will play one of her group games at the massive NRG Houston Stadium. Other teams that will be hosted at the arena include European heavyweights Germany, Netherlands and Sweden, Africa debutants Cape Verde, Asian flag bearers Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan will also feature at the venue.
According to The U.S. State Department and Customs and Border Protection, projections for the 2026 FIFA World Cup reveals that between 5 to 10 million total visitors, including fans, tournament officials, and media are expected to travel to the USA for the world’s most glamorous and biggest soccer showpiece.
