"With less than six months until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off, Guadalajara inaugurated its Volunteer Centre, marking the start of preparations for the largest volunteer programme in FIFA history, which is expected to attract more than a million applications across North America. Jalisco Governor Pablo Lemus, alongside representatives from the Organising Committee and FIFA, attended the opening ceremony on Friday in Guadalajara. Karla Carrillo, Volunteer Director for the Organising Committee, revealed that over 32,000 people applied in Guadalajara alone, but only 10,000 were invited to take the selection tests. The goal is to finalise around 4,600 volunteers for the city. Training for selected volunteers will begin according to their assigned roles. "During the training, they are briefed on human rights issues, tourism-related matters, and everything connected to the World Cup, to ensure that this multicultural experience can fully take shape," Carrillo explained. Montserrat Hidalgo, Host City Officer for Guadalajara, said the volunteer recruitment process set a milestone in FIFA history. "We have broken all application records, with over one million applications across all 16 host cities," she said. Volunteers will be strategically deployed across the city, including tourist attractions, team hotels, the airport, and the FIFA Fan Fest, where the largest crowds of non-ticketed fans are expected. "Volunteering is a fundamental part of the World Cup's social legacy," Hidalgo added. Guadalajara will host four group-stage matches at Estadio Akron, which has a 48,000-seat capacity. Teams scheduled to play in the city include Colombia, Uruguay, and Spain."