Pitch-Side with Tiffany Zhang ‘19

What was the volunteer team tryout phase like, and how competitive was it given the global interest?

Applying to be a FIFA World Cup volunteer was an intensive process, and I was honored to be selected from over a million applicants. The tryout mixed cheering contests, team-building exercises, and scenario-based questions to evaluate our communication, enthusiasm, and teamwork. It was especially competitive for the Los Angeles Stadium, which hosted just over 2,000 volunteer spots. Back in 2025, when I applied, I remember thinking “when will I ever have the opportunity to be a part of the World Cup on home soil?” this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in our own backyard, so I went for it! 

What specific skills or experiences do you think helped your application stand out?

I enjoy meeting new people, serving the community, and supporting a mission and this opportunity combined all of that for me. As a lifelong soccer player—including my time on USD’s Women’s Club Soccer Team—and an active community volunteer with organizations like Meals on Wheels, this role was the perfect intersection of my passions. My day job with AARP also involves leading outreach and education events for volunteer teams across San Diego County, which made supporting the world’s largest sporting event a natural fit. I think what really helped me stand out was my previous experience volunteering at Copa América 2016 at the Rose Bowl, which gave me a great preview of what it would take to support the World Cup. 

Tell us about your volunteer role and did it match your preferences?

I was assigned to the Marketing Department as a Partner Rights Volunteer, where I got to help with sponsorship activities. My day-to-day involved leading stadium tours, keeping an eye out for unauthorized signage (and reporting it), and being an ambassador for special guests. Originally, I wanted to be assigned to Team Management and assist with logistics, but this ended up being an even better fit (more than I could have imagined)!

How did you navigate transit and traffic to reach Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on time for your shifts? 

Volunteers received parking passes, which I was incredibly grateful for because I was driving from San Diego to Los Angeles every time I had a shift. Thankfully our shifts started well before the game, so we didn’t have to wait in stadium traffic, although LA traffic is a whole different story. 

What did a typical match-day shift look like from start to finish?

While everyday was a bit different, we typically arrived three hours before kickoff to check-in with our supervisors and receive our assignments for the day. My duties ranged from guiding pre-match stadium tours for special guests during team warm-ups and escorting VIPs to the field for match ceremonies (think of the coin toss and match ball placement), to restocking player coolers at halftime and assisting with the post-game press conferences and Player of the Match awards. While our walkthroughs and training gave us a great foundation, nothing quite prepares you for the energy of a full stadium with multiple activations happening at the same time. Game days were simply, electric.

What was the coolest behind-the-scenes moment or unexpected memory you walked away with?

My volunteer role gave me incredible behind-the-scenes access to stadium and field operations—from standing in the player press rooms and escorting VIPs like Paris Hilton and Billy Bob Thornton, to watching stars like Lamine Yamal warm up and receive the Player of the Match trophy. While leading special stadium tours for fans was a highlight, the moment that will stay with me forever will be when 70,000 fans erupted in cheer during the USA opening match game when the U.S. Men’s National Team scored against Paraguay. Time seemed to stop. It marked an unforgettable shift towards a true "fútbol is life" culture in America, the way you experience it around the world.

How will you frame your World Cup experience alongside your degree to stand out on LinkedIn or in job interviews?

I’ll always value my time at USD for teaching me to embrace a "Challenges by Choice" mindset, one that continues to shape my life. At USD I learned to lean into the discomfort, to say “yes” to scary opportunities, and to trust that gratitude, curiosity, and wholehearted service will carry me through any experience. That mindset led directly to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that combined my love for soccer with my desire to serve and connect. This experience was a blessing and a powerful reminder that saying yes to the unknown is always worth the risk. And while I wish this quote was from a soccer legend (instead of hockey) I truly believe that “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” so go for it!