Covenant Students Gain World Cup Experience
This summer, seven Covenant College students had the unique opportunity to serve as on-site volunteers during the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. Through the sport management program, students gained firsthand insight into their academic field, while working directly on the field.
Overview
Led by Dr. Micheala Kourmoulis and Dr. Matthew Vos, the group participated in the experience as part of a May/Summer term course. The trip was partially funded by a grant awarded to Dr. Vos by NetVUE for the exploration of vocation. In the past, Covenant students studying sport management have gained real-world experience at major events including the Super Bowl, and most recently the College Football Playoff in Miami. While the Super Bowl represents one of the largest stages in America, the World Cup brings athletes and spectators together from around the world, making this summer’s opportunity especially unique. These experiences allow them to apply in real-time the concepts they are learning in the classroom.
Volunteer Opportunity
The group worked at six matches during two stays in Atlanta. Following the first three matches, the students returned to Covenant for a week of class before heading back to Atlanta for their final three matches. For all the games they worked, there was required attire. They were outfitted by FIFA, all with matching head-to-toe brightly colored uniforms.
The group members worked a variety of schedules. Maddie Bowden '27 and Dr. Kourmoulis, who worked in volunteer management, sometimes woke up at 4 a.m. to be at the field on time. Others in the group worked later shifts in general hospitality and ceremonies.
One of the most distinctive jobs assigned to Covenant volunteers was working ceremonies, where they were able to hold the field-sized flags during opening ceremonies. One student was able to act as a stand-in player for the rehearsal of the opening ceremony. These roles gave students behind-the-scenes insight into the detailed planning and coordination required to stage a large-scale international sporting event.
The volunteers were present for the June 15 match between Cabo Verde and Spain. In a culturally significant moment during this World Cup, the underdog Cabo Verde tied Spain 0–0. During the June 18 game between Czechia and South Africa, the volunteers also had the opportunity to watch the game and the 67,000 attendees from a box suite.
These games pull people from across the world to one place. Maddie Bowden, one of the student volunteers, said, “the World Cup demonstrated that sport can bring people together from all across the world and collide national, political, and cultural boundaries.” Bowden also observed the challenges such a large and diverse crowd can present. Students were given the opportunity through this unique mix of individuals to experience navigating the complexity and occasional friction that can accompany major international events.
Learning Beyond the Stadium
Their time in Atlanta included some additional activities. They visited the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta. During their first visit to the center, they learned that a soccer exhibit which was coordinated with FIFA would be opening soon. A few of the students, along with Dr. Vos, went back to visit the institute after The People’s Game: Soccer and Human Rights had opened.
Other memorable parts of their experience included a visit to Stone Mountain, where a large portion of the 1996 Summer Olympics was hosted, as well as attending an official watch party at Fan Fest in Atlanta, where they watched the United States play Australia.
Through these various experiences, Covenant sports management students were able to study the historical and cultural influence of sports, while also contributing to an event of global significance.
Preparing for Faithful Work
The hands-on work available through Covenant's program will help distinguish these students as they move forward. The opportunity has not only afforded them a distinct learning experience in their field but has also prepared them as Christians to serve faithfully through their work.
“Ultimately, through this Global Sport and Society course and volunteer experience, our class has had real-world experience actively living out our vocations and callings as Christian men and women in sports,” Bowden said. “Our careers are opportunities to glorify God and display faithful service to our peers.”
Experiential opportunities like this distinguish Covenant’s sport management program by connecting rigorous study with practical service. As students prepare to enter the sports industry, they leave better equipped to approach their work with skill, humility, and a deeper understanding of their callings and vocations.