Archive · 7 Aug 2026
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.
- When
- During the recently concluded FIFA World Cup; she was selected about a month before kick-off.
- 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.
- Why
- She was determined to experience the World Cup after Boston was announced as a host venue and wanted to welcome visiting fans.
- 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