Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto will each receive $50,000 [1] to watch all 104 [1] matches of the 2026 [1] World Cup.

The initiative represents a strategic shift in sports broadcasting, utilizing influencer personalities to maintain continuous engagement across social media platforms throughout the tournament. By placing the creators in a public setting, the network aims to merge traditional viewing with live, interactive digital content.

Fox One and the job platform Indeed launched the operation on May 5, 2026 [1]. The two hired influencers will be stationed in a specially installed cabin located in Times Square, New York City [1]. From this location, Franklin and Akoto are tasked with providing commentary and producing social-media content for the duration of the event.

The 2026 World Cup features an expanded format, resulting in the 104 [1] matches the pair must monitor. This high volume of games requires a dedicated commitment from the creators to ensure no match is missed while they generate content to boost audience engagement for the Fox One broadcast.

The selection process was facilitated by Indeed, the employment platform, to treat the opportunity as a professional recruitment. The resulting content will be distributed across various social channels to attract younger demographics who prefer short-form commentary over traditional long-form broadcasts.

This arrangement allows the network to maintain a constant presence in one of the world's most visited tourist hubs, Times Square, while simultaneously capturing the digital attention of global football fans.

“Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto will each receive $50,000 to watch all 104 matches.”

This campaign signals the increasing integration of the 'creator economy' into traditional sports rights holders. By paying influencers to live-react to every game, Fox One is attempting to hedge against declining linear television viewership by creating a 24/7 digital feedback loop that treats a sporting event as a continuous social media marathon.