These Tar Heels are working the World Cup

A Carolina student and an alumna are playing important behind-the-scenes roles as North America hosts the FIFA World Cup.

This story was written by Caroline Daly ’24 and originally published on unc.edu.

As the world visits North America this summer for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, some Tar Heels are helping make the historic event happen.

The Well spoke with a Carolina student and an alumna who are working in different capacities during the games to learn more about their roles and how Carolina has prepared them for this experience.

Isla Mclaughlin, junior sports administration major, UNC College of Arts and Sciences

Transportation coordinator for team hotels, Atlanta  

In her role, Mclaughlin supports transportation operations for participating national teams throughout the tournament.

Mclaughlin first learned of this opportunity while volunteering at the Sport Positive Summit in London last year.

“I was incredibly excited by the chance to contribute to the logistics and operations of a global sporting event while gaining hands-on experience working behind the scenes at one of the world’s largest sporting events,” she said.

She works closely with departments including fleet, bus operations, security, logistics and client services to ensure smooth team transportation between hotels, training sites and match venues.

Mclaughlin is also the primary transportation liaison for the Uzbekistan National Team at their hotel, helping manage schedules, communication and operational needs to ensure the team’s experience runs seamlessly throughout the competition.

“I hope I can take away a deeper understanding of how a global sporting event operates behind the scenes, mainly in logistics, transportation and team operations. I’m excited to learn from experienced professionals, contribute to creating a seamless experience for participating teams and continue developing the skills needed for a long-term career in international sport event management,” said Mclaughlin. “I’m thrilled to be part of an event that brings together people and cultures from around the world through sport and to experience the energy and impact of the World Cup firsthand.”

Emily Cancro ’26  

Event executive, Octagon, Atlanta  

Cancro’s role supports Bank of America marketing through experiences at fan festivals and stadiums during the World Cup.

Cancro earned bachelor’s degrees in both human and organizational leadership development from the UNC School of Education and media and journalism from the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. She was also a marketing intern with Carolina athletics.

When she told Livis Freeman ’99, distinguished associate professor of sports communications at UNC Hussman, about wanting a career in sports marketing, he recommended Octagon, a global agency in sports, entertainment and culture.

Cancro played competitive soccer growing up, so she is excited to combine her passions of soccer and sports marketing. Her role with Octagon includes work in sports, marketing, live events and fan engagement.

She is assisting in the planning and execution of activities designed to engage fans and elevate the overall tournament experience, while assisting Bank of America in having a presence at World Cup games in Atlanta.

She hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the sports marketing industry, from event planning and partner activation strategy to on-site execution and post-event analysis by learning from professionals in the industry.

“UNC has provided me with an incredible foundation for both this opportunity and my future career. From career guidance and mentorship from professors to countless networking opportunities, UNC has consistently encouraged both my personal and professional growth and given me valuable hands-on experience and exposure to the sports industry,” said Cancro. “I’ve been able to strengthen my communication, marketing, research, and strategic thinking skills while gaining practical experience in a real-world athletics environment.”

Following the World Cup, Cancro plans to continue pursuing a career in sports and entertainment marketing, either in an agency setting or in professional or collegiate athletics.