The pair were reportedly chosen after applicants submitted short videos explaining why they deserved the role, along with details of their content-creation and reporting experience.
Their assignment goes well beyond sitting in front of a television. The report says Franklin and Akoto are expected to watch every game live, publish interactive material, share their reactions and remain in regular contact with supporters throughout the tournament.
That makes them part fan, part presenter and part social-media host - with the pressure of maintaining enthusiasm through an entire summer of football.
The marathon reportedly began on 11 June, when Mexico opened the tournament with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.
Akoto described the opportunity as “emprego dos sonhos” - a dream job - while Franklin reportedly called the experience “surreal”. Their glass-walled workspace has also become part of the entertainment, attracting curious passers-by and supporters gathering around the public viewing area.
The format reflects how major tournaments are increasingly experienced collectively, even when fans are watching from outside the stadiums. A familiar matchday ritual has been turned into a continuous public performance.
There is an appealing simplicity to the concept: two supporters watching football for a living while thousands of others watch them do it. But the challenge will be keeping the format fresh as the competition moves from the excitement of the opening games towards the pressure of the knockout rounds.
The next storyline is whether Franklin and Akoto can sustain the energy, humour and audience engagement needed to make the cube more than a novelty. By the final whistle on 19 July, their endurance may be almost as closely watched as the football itself.