COUGARS IN THE CUP
University of Houston Students Score Real-world Experiences at FIFA World Cup
As travelers poured into the city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, University of Houston students were working hard behind the scenes, getting their skin in the game of the world's largest sporting event.
Locally, Houston took center stage as a vital host city, anchoring seven high-profile matches that attracted roughly 480,000 attendees. Prior to the event, officials estimated the tournament would generate $1.5 billion for Houston.
(Credit Haydhar Abizar)
(Credit Haydhar Abizar)
For UH students, the FIFA World Cup 2026 became more than a global sporting event. This monumental event in their own backyard provided students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure competitive internships and shape their future careers.
From hospitality coordinators to broadcasting assistants, UH equipped students with the skills, professional networks and experiential learning opportunities needed to contribute to one of the largest sporting events in the world. In turn, Cougars stepped up to represent the University across the city’s seven FIFA World Cup matches, which culminated on July 4.
HOSPITALITY IN THE HOST CITY
For Patrick Murray Jr., a sports administration senior, the tournament offered a direct pipeline into sports entertainment. Working as a hospitality intern for Career Group Companies, Murray managed wayfinding and hospitality services for VIP guests and international delegates at Houston Stadium. He described the atmosphere as high-paced, fun and, at times, chaotic.
“When Houston hosts Latin American teams or European teams, the fans show out,” Murray said. “It gets hectic, but an atmosphere like the World Cup is an atmosphere that you have to be a part of.”
“This experience reinforces traits and skills that I currently possess but also furthers my passion to continue on my journey.”
The environment allowed Murray to build elite industry connections.
“I met and talked with countless people from around the world, networked with FIFA and CGC staff, and saw history being made,” Murray said. “This experience reinforces traits and skills that I currently possess but also furthers my passion to continue on my journey.”
Hard work extended beyond the matches at Houston Stadium. The FIFA Fan Festival, a massive entertainment district, was constructed in East Downtown, keeping the soccer fever alive through July 14.
UH student Patrick Murray Jr. (left) was a hospitality intern for Career Group Companies at Houston Stadium. He worked with VIP guests and international delegates at the stadium. (Credit Patrick Murray Jr.)
UH student Patrick Murray Jr. (left) was a hospitality intern for Career Group Companies at Houston Stadium. He worked with VIP guests and international delegates at the stadium. (Credit Patrick Murray Jr.)
UH student Patrick Murray Jr. (right) posing with fans at Houston Stadium. (Credit Patrick Murray Jr.)
UH student Patrick Murray Jr. (right) posing with fans at Houston Stadium. (Credit Patrick Murray Jr.)
Mario Garza, a marketing and supply chain junior, stepped into the festival energy as a public affairs intern representative for Aramco, an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter and host of the Aramco Arena at the festival.
Garza credits C.T. Bauer College of Business’s prestigious Program for Excellence in Selling with helping open the door to the opportunity after his involvement in the program caught the attention of a hiring coordinator.
UH student Mario Garza served as a public affairs intern representative for Aramco, an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter.
UH student Mario Garza served as a public affairs intern representative for Aramco, an Official Houston World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter.
“PES has really given me the work ethic and resilience needed to take on such a heavy role at Aramco,” Garza said. “It's very comparable in the day-to-day. It’s very much, ‘no brakes, all gas’ — giving it your all every single day and making sure that every time I step foot into the door, I'm always giving it 10% more.”
Garza said the Aramco leadership team intentionally assigned him responsibilities aligned with his long-term career goals, giving him true skin in the game.
"I show up with a smile," Garza said. "It's really important that whenever I'm at the Fan Festival, visitors see the best side of Houston. And that starts with the people working there."
“PES has really given me the work ethic and resilience needed to take on such a heavy role at Aramco.””
BEHIND THE SCREEN
UH student Haydhar Abizar worked with Host Broadcast Services, the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup. (Credit Haydhar Abizar)
UH student Haydhar Abizar worked with Host Broadcast Services, the official broadcaster of the FIFA World Cup. (Credit Haydhar Abizar)
For the billions of fans unable to attend matches in person, UH students worked with Host Broadcast Services (HBS), FIFA’s official host broadcaster, helping bring the magic of the tournament to life for audiences worldwide.
Growing up in Indonesia, soccer was an intrinsic part of Haydhar Abizar’s childhood. When the opportunity arose to become a broadcast liaison assistant intern with HBS, the finance junior jumped at the chance. His extensive background in media operations, videography and graphic design for large-scale events — particularly as communications director for the Cougar Camerata Symphony Orchestra — made him a standout candidate.
UH student Haydhar Abizar sits on the sidelines of the Houston Stadium pitch. (Credit Haydhar Abizar)
UH student Haydhar Abizar sits on the sidelines of the Houston Stadium pitch. (Credit Haydhar Abizar)
During his internship, Abizar oversaw the operational workflow for international media partners. He worked side-by-side with global TV and radio stations to coordinate unilateral media services, facilitate live TV interviews, press conferences, mixed zone, as well as managing camera positions and commentary layout.
"I'm incredibly grateful to have gained a greater appreciation for the immense value of broadcasting rights and media operations, and how they serve as one of the primary revenue drivers behind global sporting events like the FIFA World Cup,” Abizar said. “These experiences have reinforced the importance of communication, collaboration and strategic coordination while complementing my studies in business and giving me valuable insights that I will carry into my future career."
Both Abizar and communications senior Jose Narciso Esquivel discovered their HBS roles through Cougar Pathway, the University’s career services hub that connects students with employers and experiential learning opportunities. For Esquivel, a lifelong soccer fan who grew up watching the U.S. and Mexican national teams, applying was a "no-brainer."
“It’s been amazing to work with a very experienced team from all over the world joining together with one goal in mind: a chance to broadcast and be a part of history.”
Esquivel served as a Commentary Control Room assistant for HBS, diving headfirst into the technical and production aspects of the global broadcast. During each game at Houston Stadium, Esquivel sat in the central Communications Center monitoring live audio and visual feeds, ensuring that every crowd roar, commentary track and historic goal was delivered flawlessly to audiences across the globe.
“It’s been amazing to work with a very experienced team from all over the world joining together with one goal in mind: a chance to broadcast and be a part of history,” Esquivel said.
UH student Jose Narciso Esquivel worked as a Commentary Control Room assistant at Houston Stadium during the World Cup. (Credit Jose Narciso Esquivel)
UH student Jose Narciso Esquivel worked as a Commentary Control Room assistant at Houston Stadium during the World Cup. (Credit Jose Narciso Esquivel)
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