From kicking a ball around to working on the World Cup in Qatar

“It all started with a plastic ball that I used to play with when I was five years old.”

That’s how Marely Flores recalls the beginning of her journey to where she is today. Along with her team at FIFA (International Federation of Association Football), she’s about to coordinate the most important soccer tournament: World Cup Qatar 2022.

“It’s a unique challenge, adapting and improving what already exists to the demands of a World Cup and maintaining the standard,” she said.

The Tec graduate, who speaks eight languages and has participated in 11 World Cups in different categories -including Russia 2018- is a member of the team that monitors the stadiums to resolve any unforeseen situations.

Chasing her dream and fulfilling it by being prepared

One day, while working in her office at Tecnológico de Monterrey, Marely realized she could coordinate soccer world championships just as well as she could organize events at the university.

From that moment, when she thought about the possibility of organizing a World Cup in her office at Tec de Monterrey, Marley began to prepare.

“I remember thinking about it. The next moment, I was googling the master’s degree that could help me fulfill my dream.”

The next year (2008), she was studying for a Master of Advanced Studies in Sport Management and Technology in Switzerland.

Later, she worked at the IBA (International Boxing Association) and then the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica.

After that, she organized matches in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Finally, she started working at FIFA in 2016, where she is responsible for organizational planning and operation of the men’s and women’s World Cups.

Previously, Marely studied for a degree in Marketing and a diploma in International Business at Tec de Monterrey.

She recognizes that this gave her the management and leadership tools that she uses today to manage huge multicultural teams.

“It all started with a plastic ball”

Marely is always clear about where she comes from: playing with a plastic ball at the age of five.

Her passion for soccer led her to playing the sport. She even played on the Borregos Zacatecas campus team until she graduated.

The Tec graduate no longer plays due to some injuries, but she is paving the way for all soccer players to do so without any problems.

“In real-time, I solve the problems of the officials and those in charge of each stadium, such as problems with the weather or game operation, any last-minute eventuality,” she said.

But the Tec graduate’s work starts long before the tournaments.

She is responsible for coordinating teams from all areas so that everything goes well; overseeing that the facilities are adequate; looking for stadiums to play in; identifying possible risks; and planning modifications to all areas of the stadium; among other things.

“It’s wonderful to know that although we’re so diverse, we’re united by our love of soccer.”

Everything that makes a World Cup possible

Marely says that each tournament is different and it’s not just about who plays or what the prize is.

“They’re different cultures, customs, people, and facilities,” she said. This is one of the aspects of her job that she’s most passionate about.

For Marely, communication between the areas she coordinates is very important. That’s why she speaks eight languages.

“I like to interact with people of different nationalities and languages because that enriches me. “It’s wonderful to know that although we’re so diverse, we’re united by our love of soccer.”

Marely has worked on 11 World Cups so far, but Qatar is a challenge because it will be the first time that the Tec graduate has been to that country.

“The biggest challenge is adapting as quickly as possible to the culture so that I can perform and work in the best possible way with my colleagues to offer the best experience.”

The Qatar World Cup challenge

Her assignment to Qatar was part of an internal selection process.

“Eight people applied for that position. I was selected thanks to all my experience in managing competitions, stadiums, and the list of high-level work teams that I have led,” she said.

Marely says that she is one of the first Mexicans to be part of organizing Qatar World Cup 2022, which will start on November 20 and end on December 18.

“Although the World Cup is in mid-November, my work in Qatar starts from November 1 until December, when it ends,” she tells CONECTA.

Marely also shares that she acquired many of her skills after running the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2022. “It made me stand out,” she says.

The U-20 World Cup was held from August 10 to 28, in Costa Rica.

“I was selected (for Qatar) thanks to all my experience in managing competitions, stadiums, and the list of high-level work teams that I have led.”

A Mexican ally in FIFA

Marely lives in Switzerland, at the FIFA headquarters, but always tries to return to Mexico to see her family and recharge her batteries.

“Coming to my country gives me perspective and recharges me,” she says.

Although Marely is in another country, she always makes sure that other Mexicans and Latinos see her as an ally in FIFA.

“I’ve had the opportunity to invite Mexican women (with the necessary experience) to be match officials in women’s World Cups,” she said.

In fact, she is always keen to give advice to Mexicans taking the same master’s degree as she did.

“The master’s degree makes it possible to connect new students with those of us who are already working in the field, and I always sign up to guide others.”

“Perhaps they don’t have the same dream as me but knowing my journey can make it easier for them,” she said.

The Mexican is especially pleased to meet Tec graduates who are about to study for the same master’s degree as her.

“My goal is to serve as an example to future generations, to tell them that they can do whatever job they like.”

Marely Flores’ advice on how to fulfill your dreams

Finally, Marely shared her advice on how to fulfill your dreams with CONECTA:

1. Have a clear dream and work toward it. Get ready to make it possible.
2. Languages are very important. Start with English and learn more. This is a plus anywhere.
3. Participate in international events. This will give you the experience and visibility that you need.
4. Do what you can with what you have, wherever you are. Every step is important.
5. Be creative.

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