From Camden to the World Cup Stage: Rutgers–Camden's Khamani Wade Gained a Global Edge at FIFA Rising Stars Academy
May 27, 2026
Khamani Wade RSBC’26 has steadily transformed a lifelong passion for sports into a budding career in the industry, taking advantage of professional opportunities and building early experience in both basketball and the sports business. That trajectory led him last fall to the FIFA Rising Stars Academy, where he gained firsthand exposure to the global sports industry ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Philadelphia.
“It was an honor to be one of 24 students selected to participate in this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Wade said. “To be able to get an insider’s view of one of the biggest sporting events in the world—and understanding how it comes to life through partnerships, logistics, and a focus on inclusion and fan experience—gave me a new perspective on my future in the sports industry.”
Hosted by Philadelphia Soccer 2026, the FIFA Rising Stars Academy is a professional development program designed to prepare college students for careers in sports. The immersive, three-week experience brought together students from across the region for hands-on learning in the sports business, event operations, community engagement, and legacy planning.
Reposted from Rutgers–Camden