Bill Squires has spent decades managing some of the world's biggest sporting events, but the FIFA 2026 World Cup raised the bar even higher. In this episode, BJ sits down with Bill Squires, Chief Venues and Operations Manager for the New York, New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, to explore what it takes to deliver an event of unprecedented scale. Reflecting on his experience leading venue operations, Bill shares how thousands of people, hundreds of organizations, and years of planning came together behind the scenes to create a safe, seamless experience for fans from around the world. Bill explains how trust and collaboration made it possible to coordinate more than 400 stakeholders, adapt to unexpected challenges, and keep everyone focused on a shared mission. He also discusses the importance of empowering frontline staff, conducting after-action reviews, and viewing every event as an opportunity to learn and improve. Tune in for valuable leadership lessons that extend far beyond the world of sports!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introduction to Bill Squires and the scale of the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
• The years of planning behind hosting the FIFA 2026 World Cup.
• Building partnerships across more than 400 stakeholders.
• Why mobility planning became one of the event's biggest challenges.
• Preparing for the unexpected with contingency planning.
• Scaling staffing, security, and volunteer operations for the World Cup.
• Why every frontline employee plays a critical role in the fan experience.
• Lessons learned and the lasting legacy of the World Cup.
• Helping young professionals build careers through major projects.
• Looking ahead to future global sporting events and opportunities.
• Bill's commitment to lifelong learning through teaching and mentoring.
• How the 1994 and 2026 World Cups shaped Bill's leadership.
• Why great events succeed through teamwork, not just individual leaders.

Quotes:

“There were 400-plus stakeholders involved in the planning and execution of the World Cup at MetLife Stadium.” — Bill Squires [0:08:12]

“Mobility planning was probably the most interesting thing for me.” — Bill Squires [0:10:28]

“I think that's why the retention rate at MetLife Stadium is so good because the leadership treats their staff with the ultimate respect and care, and they actually love these people because they know they are difference makers.” — Bill Squires [0:22:45]

"It takes a village. There's no one person that can sit there and pat themselves on the back." — Bill Squires [0:37:42]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Bill Squires on LinkedIn

William D. Squires, Columbia University

FIFA World Cup 2026

MetLife Stadium

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Leadership Blueprints Podcast

Leadership Blueprints Podcast on YouTube

MCFA

MCFA Careers

BJ Kraemer on LinkedIn