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FIFA not happy with NJ Transit plan for World Cup.
The public transportation system, along with the FIFA New York New Jersey Host Committee, released their “Regional Stadium Mobility Plan” on Friday, which includes $150 train tickets and an $80 shuttle bus from New York to MetLife Stadium, limited carpooling options and Penn Station closures for non-game commuters.
With the plan now officially in place, FIFA World Cup COO Heimo Schirgi issued the following statement to Pakinomist Digital:
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Commuters move through the NJ Transit section of Penn Station in New York City on May 20, 2025, after NJ Transit resumed operations following a tentative agreement to end a three-day strike by train engineers. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“Ever since the Host City Agreements were signed in 2018, FIFA has been working with the host committees and their partners to develop a transport plan that provides efficient and accessible mass transport options for ticketed fans attending the eight matches at NY NJ Stadium. The aim is to minimize congestion, reduce reliance on private vehicles and ensure that the action-packed experience on the pitch is positive and not delayed. Roads.
“NJ Transit’s current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Increased fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options. This increases concerns about congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy of hosting the World Cup for the entire region.”
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has asked FIFA to foot the bill for those going to matches, a request Schirgi criticized.
Representative Mikie Sherrill, Democratic gubernatorial candidate for New Jersey, during an election night event in East Brunswick, New Jersey, U.S., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
FIFA FIGHTS BACK AGAINST NEW JERSEY GOV MIKIE SHERRILL OVER DEMAND TO PAY FOR TRANSIT TICKETS TO WORLD CUP
“Furthermore, it is unprecedented to arbitrarily set inflated prices and demand that FIFA absorb these costs. No other global event, concert or major sports organizer has faced such demand. While FIFA is expected to generate approximately $11 billion in revenue, not profit, as the governor falsely claims, FIFA has always been a not-for-profit bylaws of our World Cup organization. reinvested in developing the game of soccer, especially for youth and women, worldwide.
“Finally, we applaud our host city partners across the country who embraced this opportunity to showcase their region to visitors by offering low-cost and often flat rates for mass transportation to and from match venues, FIFA Fan Festival locations, airports and other areas critical to a positive fan experience. One host city lists a mass train ticket at $1.25, and ultimately a fan travel ticket costs $2.50. World Cup 2026 match.”
A regular train ticket from Penn Station to MetLife Stadium is $12.90, making this hike about a dozen times higher than it normally is.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said the fares needed to be increased given the $48 million cost to NJ Transit and to avoid regular commuters subsidizing the cost in the future.
NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri and Alex Lasry, CEO of the 2026 FIFA World Cup New York New Jersey Host Committee, speak during a press briefing on the regional mobility plan for the World Cup in Newark, New Jersey on April 17, 2026. (Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images)
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MetLife Stadium will host eight games beginning June 13 and ending with the final on July 19.
