Two Fans Get Paid $50,000 to Watch All 104 World Cup Matches in Times Square

As the FIFA World Cup enters the knockout stage, two American football fans have landed a unique job watching every match of the tournament. Kevin Akoto, a chef from Florida, and Austin Franklin, a content creator from Philadelphia, were selected from over 6,000 applicants to serve as Fox One's "main World Cup viewers." Their role involves not only watching all 104 games but also creating content for football fans worldwide.

The pair are stationed inside a glass enclosure in the heart of New York City's Times Square, visible to passersby. Their viewing area is equipped with comfortable chairs, a sofa, large screens, a tabletop foosball game, football memorabilia, and snacks, designed to provide an optimal viewing experience. Despite the luxurious setup, both admit the task is challenging. Franklin told the BBC that managing their energy throughout the tournament is key, and he enjoys interacting with fans from around the globe. He added that sometimes he becomes so engrossed in the games that he forgets he is sitting in Times Square under public scrutiny.

However, not all football fans envy their position. Some spectators in Times Square described watching all 104 matches as an "overdose" of football and preferred to enjoy the World Cup socially with friends and family rather than spending weeks glued to screens.