Ex-Kenyan Football Superstar Lands Lucrative 2026 FIFA World Cup Job
Terry Ouko, a former Kenyan football player, has been appointed to a high-profile FIFA position in Atlanta, Georgia, where she will oversee World Cup activities in 2026.
The former Harambee Starlets defender has been appointed Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the historic Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The stadium is officially known as the Atlanta Stadium and it’s one of the venues for the worldwide championship.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA, she expressed thanks for the nomination, which comes at a time when Kenya is absent from the World Cup, with neither the Harambee Stars nor Kenyan referees participating.
“Football has always been more than a game to me. It is a space where people from every background meet as equals,” stated Ouko.
EXCLUSIVE
Former Harambee Starlets defender Terry Ouko has been appointed by FIFA as the Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
In this role, Ouko will oversee the matchday implementation of FIFA… pic.twitter.com/l2WQFtxYsD— Ole Teya (@TeyaKevin) June 9, 2026
“My responsibility in Atlanta is to ensure that everyone who walks into that stadium feels protected, respected and genuinely welcomed.”
She added that her core mandate in Atlanta is ensuring every person who enters the stadium feels genuinely protected, respected and welcomed throughout the tournament.
Ouko brings considerable experience to the role, having served as Vice President of the Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KFWA) and as an International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) board member.
She has also held leadership positions in the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee and the Women and Youth Development Committee under the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU).
On the weight of her responsibilities, Ouko was clear on what awaits her and what she will be bringing to the table insofar as the role is concerned.
“This is not just about managing a venue, it’s about protecting dignity, promoting equality, and ensuring sustainability is not a slogan but a lived reality at a World Cup stage,” stated Ouko.
Her day-to-day work will involve coordinating anti-discrimination efforts, enforcing safeguarding standards and embedding sustainability practices into the stadium’s operations.
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The 75,000-seater stadium, rebranded as Atlanta Stadium for the World Cup, will host five group-stage matches involving teams from Groups A, C, H and K.
The venue is already globally recognised as home to National Football League (NFL) side Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC, making it one of football’s most high-profile temporary homes.
Ouko stressed that success at the tournament must be measured beyond the scoreline, pointing to community impact and institutional legacy as equally important benchmarks.
She said the standards set in Atlanta should serve as a blueprint for future tournaments, with an eye on the generations that will follow in football’s footsteps.
“Success will not only be measured by what happens on the pitch,” stressed Ouko.
“It will be defined by the legacy we leave behind, the communities we impact and the standards we set for future tournaments.”
Ex-Kenyan Football Superstar Lands Lucrative 2026 FIFA World Cup Job
