In the heart of New York’s bustling Times Square, a custom-built glass cubicle has become the ultimate football fan’s fantasy, and a very public workplace.

Inside, two lucky winners are living out, and grinding through, what many would call the ultimate soccer gig: getting paid $50,000 (£37,800) apiece to watch every single one of the 104 World Cup matches as Fox One’s official “Chief World Cup Watchers.”

The two men selected from thousands of applicants are Kevin Akoto, a line cook from Florida, and Austin Franklin, an influencer from Philadelphia. Their transparent workspace, complete with recliners, a brown leather sofa, large-screen TVs, a foosball table, football merchandise, and plenty of snacks, sits right in the middle of one of the world’s busiest tourist spots, allowing passersby to peer in as the duo works.

The Role and Perks

Beyond simply watching matches back-to-back, with six games scheduled most days during the group stage, Kevin and Austin create content for fans. They’ve already witnessed history, including Lionel Messi breaking the all-time World Cup scoring record while enjoying Argentinian barbecue, one of the many perks of the job, as they’re served cuisine from the competing nations.

The Times Square location has turned their viewing sessions into public events. They’ve interacted with thousands of passionate fans, from Brazilians flooding the square to Norwegians performing their signature Viking rowing celebration.

“The craziest part of it is how frequently I forget that I’m in Times Square with people watching me. I’ll be watching a match for 10, 15 minutes and get sucked into it and I look to my right and see Kevin and see all these people walking around Times Square and you totally forget,” said Austin Franklin to BBC.

The Challenges: A Tiresome Marathon

While the idea sounds like every football fan’s dream, the reality is proving to be a test of endurance. With the group stage delivering a relentless schedule, both men admit they’re having to pace themselves carefully to avoid burnout.

Thankfully, they don’t have to sleep in the glass box and can leave at the end of their shifts to recharge. Still, the constant viewing, content creation, and public fishbowl environment add layers of fatigue that go beyond a typical couch-potato session.

Predictions and Fan Reactions

As for who will lift the trophy, Kevin is backing Spain while supporting the US and Ghana due to his roots. Austin, sporting Norway’s jersey thanks to their strong performances and Erling Haaland’s form, sees potential for an upset.

Public opinion on their job is divided. Some fans view watching all 104 matches in a glass box as an “overdose” lacking privacy. Others feel sharing the experience with friends or family would be more enjoyable. But many are envious, with one young fan calling it “crazy” and better than attending in person.