New Meadowlands Stadium, a multi-sport stadium for 83 thousand spectators located in the city of East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host the 2026 World Cup final, which will take place next Sunday July 19. However, almost three months after that match, the state governor stood up to the FIFA.
The American lawyer and politician Mike Sherrillgovernor of New Jersey since January 2026, asked the International Federation of Association Football to take care of the transportation costs of the World Cup, since the price of tickets for train reach the highest level in the history of the Garden State.
As stated by Sherrill, the tickets from Penn Stationthe busiest train station in New York and North America, up to New Meadowlands Stadium will cost more than US$100 (Q764)despite the fact that the multi-sports stadium is only 15 kilometers away and will host eight World Cup matches, including the final.
The governor of New Jersey assured that tickets for the short trip to the sports venue usually cost US$13 (Q99)so this situation represents an increase of almost 775%: “We inherited an agreement in which FIFA does not contribute nothing for transportation and now we have to pay a bill of US$48 million,” he added.
Fight between New Jersey and FIFA
“I’m not going to foist that on them. bill to New Jersey travelers for years. FIFA should pay for the trips. But, if they don’t do it, I’m not going to let New Jersey get hurt,” added Governor Sherrill, who assured that, at the state’s expense, the International Association Soccer Federation is gaining almost US$11 billion.
For its part, Kris Kolluri, executive director of NJ TransitNew Jersey’s state public transportation corporation, expressed support for Sherrill’s request to FIFA and stated that whatever the fare is, it will not be subsidized by the users usual in the state: “We are not going to burden the inhabitants with this responsibility,” he added.
According to the American television network UnivisionSherrill and Kolluri’s comments apparently took surprise to FIFA, since a spokesperson for the organization assured: “We are quite surprised by the new approach. “The original agreements called for free transportation for fans to all games.”
“Recognizing the pressure What this meant for the cities, FIFA adjusted the requirements of the agreement in all venues as follows: all ticket holders and accredited persons must be able to access transportation at cost price to travel to the stadiums. match days“commented the official spokesperson.
Transportation and mobility plans
“FIFA worked for four years with the host cities on plans for transportation and mobilityincluding managing millions of dollars in federal funds for support to host cities in terms of transportation,” explained the representative, who refuted the idea that the organization was responsible to pay all expenses.
“The World Cup will attract million of fans, along with the consequent economic impact. Many will travel to New Jersey to enjoy the matches, and FIFA is unaware of any other events in which organizers have had to be held in the stadium before. defray all transportation,” he argued.
However, in response to FIFA’s statement, the governor of New Jersey replied that her administration inherited an agreement in which FIFA does not contribute anything for transportation, while eliminating parking at the sports venue, except for premium parking, where FIFA charges US$200 (Q1 thousand 529) per square.