Reporting organizationally to the Chief Tournament Officer and Executive Director of Public Relations, the Head of Public Relations will be a key member of the FIFA26 Communications & PR team, and work in close collaboration with the FIFA Zurich Head of Communications, Head of Media Relations, and other key individuals responsible for delivering the public relations (PR), communications and media relations plans and activities as a member of the PR Division in coordination with other members of the FIFA26 PR management team and the FIFA Communications team with the final goal of supporting the vision and mission of the tournament in line with FIFA’s objectives.
The Head of Public Relations shall manage the PR activities of the FIFA26 (City) Venue Office Teams and will collaborate with colleagues in those locations to ensure consistency in PR strategy and messaging in close collaboration with the EDPR, Head of Communications, and the Head of Media Relations and their support staff.
The Head of Public Relations role shall require close coordination and alignment with a range of internal stakeholders ranging from FIFA26 departments to the respective divisions at FIFA HQ to determine and develop aligned messaging while executing both proactive and reactive strategies. It will also require alignment with other local stakeholders, such as host cities and country representatives, and a close collaboration with media relations colleagues in supporting media, namely those groups and influencers who have a vested interest and/or a valued opinion related to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and/or FIFA, particularly in the Mexican market.
This individual shall be expected to coordinate agency contributors, be a problem solver, integrator, and collaborator, as well as an exceptional communicator – able to contribute and, where necessary, drive important initiatives as part of the tournament and organization’s overall mission.
THE POSITION
The main responsibilities and oversights of the Head of Public Relations for the FIFA World Cup 26™ include:
1. Public Relations (PR): The Head of Public Relations shall support the team to ensure that the awareness and aims of the FIFA World Cup (and FIFA) are maximized in the Mexican market across multiple channels, and therefore, shall play an important role in shaping the public image and reputation of the tournament locally. In raising awareness, various tactics shall be employed, which involve planning and delivering PR/communication campaigns, cultivating and maintaining relationships with influential professionals, managing relationships with clients and agencies, arranging interviews, ensuring brand consistency (where relevant), and organizing PR events to help promote our brand locally.
2. Communications: Liaising with the Head of Communications, the Head of Public Relations shall ensure that the reputation of the FIFA World Cup (and FIFA) is positively maintained in the Mexican market across a range of disciplines that work in tandem to implement communications strategies for identified key audiences, and ensure all communications are consistent with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ brand, values, and principles, aligned with overall goals of the tournament in the local markets.
- Corporate Communications / Stakeholder Relations / Issues and Crisis Management: Ensure a corporate communications-first delivery focusing on proactive messaging and storytelling across Mexico based on the strategy and message development created for initiatives, campaigns, announcements, and all FIFA World Cup 2026™ departments. Increase the control over the organization's perception by setting agendas and developing narratives for relevant target audiences across all platforms.
- Manage a FIFA26 stakeholder relations delivery by acting as an integrator between the Hosting Cities' communications teams, the FIFA26 strategy and planning teams, and local national stakeholders across Mexico to ensure that key messaging and related activities and proactive communications plans addressing targeted audiences to mitigate risk and drive communications around key issues. The role is also critical to running issues and crisis management/communications as required for all partners for all relevant events and activities in the run-up and during the tournament across the three host countries.
- Content Production/Editorial: Commission, develop, oversee, and monitor the delivery and subsequent amplification of all content (text, video, photos, graphics) on all relevant platforms across Mexico – and support all editorial needs within the PR Division.
Develop, map, and implement a content plan in line with strategies and support the connection to fans and brand narrative, having editorial teams own and operated platforms as well as via media partners and other distribution channels.
- Digital Products: Support the digital products team in conceptualizing, delivering, and maintaining relevant general public-related products through FIFA-owned channels to accommodate editorial produced in-house and in line with requirements that ensure a FIFA World Cup 2026™ stakeholder-first delivery experience on multiple media.
3. Media Relations: Liaising with the Head of Media Relations, the Head of Public Relations shall ensure that the reputation of the FIFA World Cup (and FIFA) is positively maintained in the Mexican market across a range of disciplines that work in tandem to implement media relations strategies for identified key audiences, and ensure all media relations are consistent with the FIFA World Cup 2026™ brand, values, and principles, and are aligned with overall goals of the tournament in the local markets, and across all global markets.
YOUR PROFILE
- Bachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience in a sports communications role with an in-depth knowledge of association football
- Proven experience with strategic planning, messaging strategy, corporate communications, public relations, brand development, content development, writing, web and social media, project management, presentation development, vendor/agency management and budget management
- Successful track record of creating innovative approaches for communicating and connecting with a wide range of audiences to drive engagement
- Strong engagement with media in Mexico
- Experience in executing a successful and strategic media campaign with proven results
- Experience with social media management and the ability to develop and execute successful social media campaigns
- Excellent written communication skills including experience preparing content for use across multiple platforms (e.g. interview research, scripts, Q&As, briefing documents and communications plans) and in various formats (audio, text, video, photography, graphics) both for publication and syndication
- Broad vision of the future of communications and content with a strong understanding of the latest trends and technology
- Passionate commitment and enthusiasm for leadership and success in creating and managing large teams including corporate communications and content
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively manage relationships with influencers and other stakeholders – ensuring alignment on communications-related deliverables
- Project management orientation especially as many deliverables will be across multiple stakeholders at different locations
- Fluent in English and Spanish.
- Proficient in Microsoft tools, Google Analytics, social media, and project management tools
About FWC2026
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will mark the first time that the tournament features 48 teams and will be hosted by three countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
This new format redefines excellence, generating unique opportunities for greater participation and engagement from fans and players in North America and all over the world. Now is your time to be a game changer and join the workforce that is planning and delivering this unique and unforgettable experience.
EQUAL. DIVERSE. INCLUSIVE.
Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA-Strasse 20, 8044 Zurich
