Seattle appoints neighborhood liaisons ahead of FIFA World Cup 26

As Seattle prepares to host matches for the FIFA World Cup 26, the city is issuing neighborhood liaisons for the Chinatown International District (CID), Pioneer Square, and SODO—each uniquely positioned near the stadium.

The goal is to have these liaisons host visitors and showcase the vibrant communities in each neighborhood.

“With hundreds of thousands of visitors expected to pass through these stadium neighborhoods during the tournament, preparations have focused not only on celebration, but on managing the impact of this unprecedented scale of activity on local residents and small businesses,” Hana Tadesse, the vice president of communications for Seattle FIFA World Cup 26, said. “The recently hired Stadium Neighborhood World Cup Liaisons are positioned to help businesses and communities mitigate potential impacts and prepare for the massive economic benefit of the FIFA World Cup.”

The liaisons’ responsibilities include leading culturally relevant outreach and engagement, supporting neighborhood-specific planning efforts, coordinating logistics and communications with SeattleFWC26, and elevating the unique identities of each neighborhood during the World Cup.

Liaison’s impact on CID

“With the tournament being such an unprecedented event, it will be incredibly helpful to have the CID liaison on board a full year ahead to solidify strategies and projects,” the CID Small Business Relief Team stated. “The CID neighborhood needs to see positive impacts and economic benefits from stadium events instead of just being a pass-through. With this collaboration, we will have a full-time staff dedicated to bringing culturally informed, multilingual support to CID small businesses and help them manage and adapt their operations to large-scale events.”

Carmen Pan was appointed as the CID liaison. Hired by the Small Business Relief Team, she will bring experience in community engagement, public service, and small business support to the field.

“Carmen will be available for one-on-one consultations for businesses to assist in understanding, planning, preparing for, and getting questions answered about the tournament,” Tadesse stated.

Last month, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell gathered with community leaders, small business owners, and corporations at Hing Hay Park Wednesday to announce that the CID will receive $1 million for upgrades to safety while continuing efforts to make the CID safer, more livable, and healthier for small businesses.

Harrell said safe, bustling streets in the CID, filled with visitors and locals, will benefit shops, restaurants, residents, and tourists who come here every year.

A liaison for Pioneer Square

Nadia Flusche will be installed as the liaison for Pioneer Square. A Seattle native for 25 years, she has worked extensively in Pioneer Square.

“Our communities face unique challenges and are too often left out of the planning process for events that directly affect us,” Alliance for Pioneer Square stated after the announcement. “We’re thankful to the Local Organizing Committee for creating this collaborative platform that supports shared success. Having World Cup Liaisons embedded within our community organizations is especially meaningful, as it helps extend trusted relationships and local expertise well beyond the World Cup itself.”

Her outreach goals are to keep local businesses informed and engaged in shaping Pioneer Square’s FIFA World Cup experience, and to strengthen the neighborhood’s long-term sustainability by positioning this historic district as a premier destination before, during, and beyond the tournament, all while honoring local Indigenous history.

Pioneer Square is 63% above the national average for total crime, according to data released from the FBI in September 2024, including 22% for violent crime and 71% for property crime.

SODO appointing a team to be its liaison

The SODO Business Improvement Area Team will shoulder the responsibility of being the neighborhood’s liaison for the upcoming event.

“Since 2014, the SODO BIA has served as a liaison, problem-solver, and advocate for the SODO business community,” Tadesse said. “As the FIFA World Cup 26 approaches, the team will prioritize informing and engaging businesses about the opportunities this global event brings to SODO’s front steps and showcasing the best of what SODO has to offer.”

Additionally, the team will also collaborate with government partners and other stakeholders to identify possible challenges that impact SODO businesses’ ability to operate throughout the tournament. This can include accessibility, public safety, cleanliness, and transportation access.

“We know that the neighborhoods surrounding Seattle Stadium are more than just the backdrop to the FIFA World Cup—they are home to vibrant communities, small businesses, and deep-rooted cultural legacies,” said Peter Tomozawa, the CEO of Seattle FIFA World Cup 26. “That’s why this partnership with community organizations in the Chinatown International District, Pioneer Square, and SODO is so important. By embedding dedicated World Cup Neighborhood Liaisons, we’re not only helping prepare for the scale and excitement of the tournament—we’re also investing in lasting local relationships that will extend far beyond 2026.”

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