3 weeks ago
Scientist by Day, World Cup Volunteer by Evening in Boston
Shamayeeta Ray is a scientist who studies proteins.
She lives in Boston, a city in the United States.
Boston hosted games of the FIFA World Cup, a huge football tournament.
Shamayeeta wanted to be part of the excitement, so she signed up to volunteer.
She helped fans find their way at train stations and parking areas near the stadium.
More than 50,000 people came to every match.
Volunteers wore bright green Adidas uniforms so fans could spot them.
Because she was a volunteer, she got to watch parts of the matches, like a goal by Erling Haaland.
The best part for her was meeting friendly fans from all over the world.
She hopes to volunteer again at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Shamayeeta Ray, a protein biochemist and structural biologist at a Boston research institute, volunteered as a 'last-mile' guide for World Cup fans.
She and her husband applied online in October and attended a volunteer selection and training session in January before she was chosen.
On weekday match days she worked in her lab from 5am to 2.30pm, then headed straight to Gillette Stadium for evening shifts.
Between 50,000 and 70,000 spectators arrived for each of Boston's six matches, and volunteers directed them from train stations, ride-share points and parking areas.
She caught about 40 minutes of live football per shift, including an Erling Haaland goal for Norway, and watched Spain's final at Boston Public Garden with friends.
- Who
- Shamayeeta Ray, a protein biochemist and structural biologist at a research institute in Boston who grew up in Salt Lake, Kolkata, along with her fellow World Cup volunteers.
- What
- Served as a 'last-mile' volunteer at Gillette Stadium, helping 50,000-70,000 fans per match with directions and a warm welcome during the FIFA World Cup.
- Where
- Gillette Stadium and its surroundings in Boston, including train stations, ride-share pick-up points and parking areas; the couple also attended a match in New York.
- When
- During the recently concluded FIFA World Cup; she was selected about a month before kick-off.
- Why
- She was determined to experience the World Cup after Boston was announced as a host venue and wanted to welcome visiting fans.
Key facts
- Volunteer role
- Last-mile volunteer guiding fans at train stations, ride-share points and parking areas
- Venue
- Gillette Stadium, Boston
- Matches hosted in Boston
- Six
- Spectators per match
- 50,000-70,000
- Match-day schedule
- Lab from 5am to 2.30pm on weekday match days, then stadium
- Volunteer kit
- Adidas fluorescent green uniforms, jackets, cap and shoes
- Live football per shift
- About 40 minutes
- Future plan
- Volunteer for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
Quotes
Shamayeeta Ray
Indian protein biochemist and volunteer at Gillette Stadium
“I was a last‑mile volunteer. We were posted outside train stations, ride‑share pick‑up points and general parking areas. Between 50,000 and 70,000 people were arriving for each match. They needed directions and, more importantly, a warm welcome.”
telegraphindia.com
“When we heard Boston would be one of the World Cup venues, I was determined to watch a match.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Related news
Kolkata Struggles to Say Goodbye as Messi Retires
Commerce vs Carnival: America and Brazil Experience Football Differently
Brazil Delegation Inspects Kolkata Stadium Ahead of India Friendly
Indian Women’s Football Faces Dates, Pay And Answers Crisis
Solar Eclipse Creates Spectacular Backdrop for Cricket and Football Matches
Marijne defends pre-World Cup leave after India’s fifth-place finish
Lionel Messi’s Argentina Career Ends After 2026 World Cup Heartbreak
La Liga 2026 season starts without Barcelona and Real Madrid
Spain's World Cup Win Gives Red Fashion Trend Fresh Momentum
Argentina's National Football Teams Day marks World Cup semifinal win
