Former Kenyan football star Terry Ouko has landed a high-profile FIFA appointment that places her at the centre of the 2026 World Cup operations in Atlanta, Georgia.
The ex-Harambee Starlets defender has been named Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium, now named the Atlanta Stadium, one of the stadiums for the global tournament.
In an exclusive interview with FIFA, she expressed gratitude for the appointment, coming at a time when Kenya remains absent from the World Cup itself, with neither Harambee Stars nor Kenyan referees featuring at the tournament.
“Football has always been more than a game to me. It is a space where people from every background meet as equals. My responsibility in Atlanta is to ensure that everyone who walks into that stadium feels protected, respected and genuinely welcomed,” stated Ouko.
A collage of Former Harambee Starlets player Terry Ouko, appointed as the Sustainability and Human Rights Venue Manager at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium by FIFA on June 9.
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Terry Ouko
She added that her core mandate in Atlanta is ensuring every person who enters the stadium feels genuinely protected, respected and welcomed throughout the tournament.
Ouko brings considerable experience to the role, having served as Vice President of the Kenya Footballers’ Welfare Association (KFWA) and as an International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) board member.
She has also held leadership positions in the Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee and the Women and Youth Development Committee under the Africa Beach Soccer Union (ABSU).
On the weight of her responsibilities, Ouko was clear on what awaits her and what she will be bringing to the table in so far as the role is concerned.
“This is not just about managing a venue, is about protecting dignity, promoting equality, and ensuring sustainability is not a slogan but a lived reality at a World Cup stage,” stated Ouko.
Her day-to-day work will involve coordinating anti-discrimination efforts, enforcing safeguarding standards and embedding sustainability practices into the stadium’s operations.
The 75,000-seater stadium, rebranded as Atlanta Stadium for the World Cup, will host five group-stage matches involving teams from Groups A, C, H and K.
The venue is already globally recognised as home to National Football League (NFL) side Atlanta Falcons and MLS club Atlanta United FC, making it one of football’s most high-profile temporary homes.
Ouko stressed that success at the tournament must be measured beyond the scoreline, pointing to community impact and institutional legacy as equally important benchmarks.
She said the standards set in Atlanta should serve as a blueprint for future tournaments, with an eye on the generations that will follow in football’s footsteps.
“Success will not only be measured by what happens on the pitch. It will be defined by the legacy we leave behind, the communities we impact and the standards we set for future tournaments,” stressed Ouko.
A collage showing inside the iconic 75,000 seater Mercedes Benz Stadium (right), and the outside skeletal image of the same stadium, set to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Atlanta Magazine
