Two Americans Are Set To Watch All The World Cup Soccer Matches For $50,000

• 28.06.2026, 17:37

One quit his job; the other broke up with his girlfriend.

Americans Kevin Akato from Massachusetts and Austin Franklin from Florida won a contest on FOX One and were named “chief observers.” If they follow the rules, a huge sum awaits them: $50,000 each. The deal is to watch every minute of the World Cup and create content for social media. They’ll only get the money if they last the full 39 days of the World Cup.

“I quit my job at a restaurant for this. But my boss said that if I ever want to come back, the door is always open!” says Akato BILD. Franklin had to leave his girlfriend alone for six weeks.

Until the final, their lives will be spent almost entirely in a 36-square-meter glass box set up in Times Square in the heart of New York City. This suddenly turned two complete strangers into best friends.

“In three weeks, we’ve gotten to know each other very well,” says Akato. Franklin adds, “Now we know which team each of us roots for and which players we like. Kevin is always calm, even when he’s hungry or tired.”

Their food is delivered right to their glass booth; the restroom is just around the corner. However, they don’t have to spend the night in Times Square: both are staying at a nearby hotel.