Imagine being paid to watch every WC match — these two guys are doing it for $50,000!

For most football supporters, getting paid to watch every match at a World Cup sounds like a dream. For Kevin Akoto, it became reality — and he was willing to make a major life change to seize the opportunity.

After learning that he had been chosen as one of Fox’s official World Cup watchers, the Florida native did not hesitate. The role comes with a $50,000 (£37,000) paycheck in exchange for following all 104 matches of the tournament from a specially designed viewing cube located in the middle of Times Square.

The catch? Akoto would spend the next six weeks living much of his football life in public view and had to immediately inform his employer that he would no longer be reporting to work.

“I quit my job,” admits Akoto, a Liverpool fan who is from Florida and was working as a waiter in a restaurant. “I found out on Thursday that I had won the competition and so I told them on Friday that would be my last day!”

Akoto shares the glass-enclosed viewing space with Austin Franklin after both men beat out thousands of hopeful applicants who submitted videos on social media explaining why they deserved the role. Their responsibilities extend beyond simply watching football, as they are also tasked with producing online content, filming reactions and interacting with supporters throughout the competition.

Franklin, a Philadelphia-based influencer, says the unusual assignment still feels difficult to comprehend.

“It has really felt a bit like being on the Truman Show,” Franklin says. “I forget at times that we’re here. I’m watching a game for minutes and then I look over at Kevin and I see people on top of me. It’s like: ‘Oh my God!’ There’s 30 people watching us, watching games, most of the time. It is a weird experience.”

The challenge, according to Akoto, is finding the right balance between enjoying the football naturally and fulfilling the expectations of the job.

“We’re trying to stay authentic in the process of the job, I guess. So it’s finding that balance between making sure we’re engaged with the game, but also showcasing what we’re doing.”

Their unique setup has become a major attraction for passers-by in one of New York’s busiest locations. Curious spectators frequently stop to ask questions, ranging from whether they spend the entire tournament inside the cube to practical concerns about everyday necessities.

Franklin says the question they hear most often revolves around bathroom breaks.

“I like the idea of finding it,” Franklin says. “That’s kind of fun for me. I’ve got 15 minutes to be, like, ‘all right, let’s see where I can find me a bathroom today.’”

Fortunately, both men are staying at a nearby luxury hotel where facilities are readily available. Tournament-themed meals inspired by all participating nations are also served inside the viewing cube.

When the World Cup kicked off with Mexico facing South Africa, Times Square was packed with fans celebrating the opening of the tournament. Mexico’s convincing victory created a festive atmosphere that spilled onto the streets long after the final whistle.

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Among the many people who stopped to watch the watchers was a woman whose story left a lasting impression on Franklin.

“There was a woman who sat right behind me in one of those chairs for the entire 90 minutes, and I went up to her and said: ‘Thank you so much for your time’,” says Franklin. “I gave her a big hug, and she told me about how she was born in Mexico, moved to New York, and used to watch all the Mexico games with her dad. Her dad passed away a few years ago, so I was like: ‘You’re going to make me cry’. So now I’m like that’s a team that I want to do well. You feel this connection and that’s what the World Cup is all about.”