government
Disabled FIFA volunteer hopes to spread service animal awareness during World Cup
By Bianca Rodriguez-Mora at Fort Worth Report
· June 11, 2026
· 4 min read
When Joe Flores saw that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would have nine matches in Arlington — just 30 minutes away — he knew he and his service dog, Kiki, needed to be a part of it. The two threw their hat in the ring and became key members in FIFA’s Starting Lineup volunteer team, which sets up World Cup
Key takeaway Flores, 49, said much of his time with his black Labrador mix has been educating others on her purpose as a service dog, and he knows the World Cup won’t be any different.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
The presence of Joe Flores and his service dog Kiki at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Arlington highlights the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in major events hosted in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. As the region prepares to welcome visitors from around the world, the involvement of volunteers like Flores, who is disabled, demonstrates the efforts being made to ensure that everyone can participate and attend matches. The fact that Flores and Kiki will be working at VIP guest services at AT&T Stadium also underscores the need for awareness about service animals in public spaces, a issue that is relevant to residents of Fort Worth and Tarrant County who may encounter service animals in their daily lives. As the World Cup approaches, it will be worth watching how the event's organizers balance the need for accessibility with the logistical challenges of hosting a major international sporting event.
About this story
Original reporting by Fort Worth Report . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Fort Worth Report . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 11, 2026 ·
Source: Fort Worth Report ·
Reading time: 4 min
newsletter" aria-label="Newsletter signup" style="margin:24px 0;padding:20px 24px;background:linear-gradient(135deg,#1e3a5f 0%,#2d5a8c 100%);border-radius:10px;color:#fff">
Get more The Fort Worth stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering government and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When Joe Flores saw that the 2026 FIFA World Cup would have nine matches in Arlington — just 30 minutes away — he knew he and his service dog, Kiki, needed to be a part of it. The two threw their hat in the ring and became key members in FIFA’s Starting Lineup volunteer team, which sets up World Cup
When was this published? This article was first published on June 11, 2026 by Fort Worth Report and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Bianca Rodriguez-Mora at Fort Worth Report. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More government →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter