The Coca‑Cola Company Kicks Off the Coca‑Cola FC Academy, Aiming to Power Future Careers in Sports & Beyond

 With FIFA World Cup 26™ on the horizon, The Coca-Cola Company today launched Coca-Cola FC (Future Careers) Academy  - an ambitious new soccer-inspired learning and career development experience, designed to equip young people with the skills and confidence to step into sports marketing and related industries.

Coca-Cola FC Academy blends real‑world know‑how, industry connections, and insider access to help the next generation of leaders score career goals before, during, and beyond the tournament, and is available in the U.S. and Canada.

The Coca-Cola Company has been an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup™ since 1978 and will once again be a part of all the emotion and celebration of the tournament, refreshing fans throughout with iconic drinks like Coca‑Cola and Powerade. Inspired by the upcoming tournament, The Coca‑Cola Company also aims to create meaningful opportunities for communities and drive economic growth and inclusion, creating an impact that extends far beyond the tournament.

“We live by our purpose to refresh the world and make a difference and through experiences like Coca‑Cola FC Academy, we’re investing in the skills, confidence, and career pathways that help young people succeed, while supporting organizations that uplift communities,” said Alba Baylin, Vice President of Stakeholder and Social Impact Management at The Coca‑Cola Company, North America. “Whether it’s on the soccer field or off it, we believe our role goes far beyond delivering refreshing beverages and are committed to creating a lasting impact that empowers and benefits the places we serve.”

A Front‑Row Seat to Career Opportunity

Coca‑Cola FC Academy is a dynamic digital learning experience delivered through partnerships with Coca‑Cola’s network of bottlers across the tournament host cities and relationships with leading youth organizations, including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Best Buddies International, Special Olympics, National CARES Mentoring Movement, and Girls Inc. in the U.S. and The King’s Trust Canada.

Participants progress through a flexible, module‑based curriculum covering sports marketing, media, sponsorships, creative design, and leadership — all taught by subject matter expert “professors,” both from inside Coca‑Cola and across the wider sports and soccer communities.

Students have the opportunity to earn digital certifications, connect with mentors, and unlock access to work opportunities via a dedicated job board powered by TeamWork Online. In 2026, the upcoming tournament and related experiences will add real-time relevance to their learning journey.

“For over 75 years, Coca‑Cola has been a vital partner in our mission to strengthen local communities. Collaborating with them on the Coca‑Cola FC Academy has been both a privilege and a powerful opportunity to make a difference,” said Jim Clark, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “This new resource elevates our joint commitment to helping young people build workforce skills, explore different career paths, and prepare for great, successful futures — all through an engaging and interactive experience.”

Building Skills, Breaking Barriers

By the time tournament play begins next year, the program aims to:

• Engage 6,000 youth participants across the U.S. and Canada
• Train 130 FIFA volunteers for the upcoming tournament
• Award 2,000+ U.S. Soccer referee certifications — helping fill a critical national shortage and opening professional doors for young people

“I jumped at the opportunity to be part of the Coca‑Cola FC Academy because I immediately recognized the gap it could help fill in the soccer landscape, especially for young people,” said Jenny Chiu, professional sports reporter, former collegiate player, and professor for the Coca‑Cola FC Academy. “Coca‑Cola has built an engaging, thoughtful experience that empowers those of us who have benefitted so much from the beautiful game, including myself, to pay it forward and invest in the development of the next generation.”

Empowering Entrepreneurs and Looking Beyond the Tournament

Alongside developing young leaders through Coca‑Cola FC Academy, The Coca‑Cola Company is also supporting a broader suite of economic empowerment programs that are seeking to expand their footprints and strengthen communities across tournament host cities in the U.S. and Canada. These initiatives focus on entrepreneurship, workforce readiness, and educational advancement in underserved communities.

Increased support for the University of Notre Dame’s Urban Poverty and Business Initiative (UPBI), housed within the Keough School of Global Affairs, Easterseals, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society will help enable expanded access to business training, mentorship, education, and job placement. This boost in resources will help these organizations further scale their impact, bringing career‑building opportunities to more individuals than ever before.

Together, the launch of Coca‑Cola FC Academy and the additional investments for these programs are designed to ensure the energy of the tournament sparks growth and opportunity for a wide array of communities and extend beyond the tournament.

Coca‑Cola FC Academy is now live and available for ages 13+ to participate. To explore the Coca‑Cola FC Academy, visit: https://cokeurl.com/fcacademy