• Russia 2017 and 2018 Volunteer campaign started a year ago • Volunteers have already begun to take up their responsibilities for the Tournament of Champions • 5,844 volunteers will support the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017

The first volunteers for the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 are in position to support the 'Tournament of Champions' in every Host City. As of 1 June 2017, the anniversary of the launch of the volunteer programme for 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ and the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, volunteers have begun to take up their responsibilities for the tournament.

Volunteers will help organisers across 20 areas of responsibility, with the first group of volunteers helping in ticketing, accreditation, catering and volunteer management.

For example, volunteers at the tournament ticket office in Sochi will help visitors get their bearings and tell them about the ticket purchasing process. “Every volunteer is trained before taking up his or her role,” explained Sergey Cheremshanov, Director of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Volunteer Centre at the Sochi State University. “Training covers general issues and specific matters, as well as on-site instruction.”

Volunteers help FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017 participants, including organisers, contractors and other volunteers, to prepare for the tournament by issuing accreditation and uniforms. “Our main goal right now is to issue uniforms to volunteers, who are taking up their roles,” said Vlad Soldatov, a volunteer with the volunteer management team. “The gear is great and our job is to make sure it’s the right size for everyone.”

5,844 volunteers will support the FIFA Confederations Cup Russia 2017, with 1,733 in Saint Petersburg, 1,590 in Moscow, 1,261 in Sochi and 1,260 in Kazan.

“For me, the Confederations Cup is the biggest event of my life," Irina Snegova, a volunteer with the accreditation team who helps tournament organisers at the accreditation centre located at the Spartak Stadium, told FIFA.com. “We have a brilliant and friendly team that has managed to gel in under a week. Our job is to make sure that people who come to our centre feel welcome because it's us, the accreditation volunteers, who set the tone for visitors and organisers. We have a lot to do ahead of us and I’m confident we will do a fantastic job. I can’t wait for the tournament to start, so we can enjoy this football celebration."