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Jersey City, NJ – Wednesday marks exactly one year until the FIFA world championship in 2026 starts in North America, and the party started in the state where the final will be played.
It is the first time since 1994 that the continent is playing the host of the most popular sporting event in the world, and Phil Murphy’s New Jersey will be the place of the final.
Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford hosts eight matches in total, including five in the group play and games in both the rounds of 32 and 16.
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The Government Phil Murphy with the trophy from the World Cup, which will be played in New Jersey in 2026. It was part of Murphy’s budget address for the state’s financial year in 2025. (Chris Pedota, Northjersey.com / USA Today Network via Imag images)
In a speech with the media Wednesday at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, the location of the official World Cup festival of 2026, Murphy predicted that the final at the New York Giants and Jets at home will be “the most seen event in human history.”
And for those present, “the Metlife experience will be unique,” Murphy said.
“It will be safe and safe, easy to get in and out, great experience for fans when they are in the stadium,” Murphy continued.
“That’s what it’s all about. A lot of preparation and now being able to show our vision and get the reaction we got, which was excitement, energy, interest. That’s what it’s all about,” added Alex Lasry, CEO of Nynj Host Committee.
A general overview of Metlife Stadium ahead of a game between the New York Jets and Buffalo Bills at Metlife Stadium on September 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
With the World Championship exactly 1 year out, usmnt Legends says that pressure is shown a notch
“It’s real. We are a year out and to see the reaction from all of how much excitement is for the World Cup makes us so much more excited.”
Liberty State Park is the home of a huge view of the New York City skyline and the statue of freedom while filled with green surroundings, making it the perfect place for fans to gather. So while Murphy will undoubtedly be on all eight world championship games played on Metlife, there is a further responsibility to ensure that fans are entertained for the other 96 competitions played in the other 15 host stadiums.
“Fan party, it will be beyond words. 22 screens, capacity of 45,000. When we are not at Metlife, we will be here and see. These experiences are extraordinary. This will be no exception,” Murphy added.
2026 FIFA World Cup Promotion appears at Metlife Stadium following a message from FIFA on February 5, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Eduardo Munozalvarez/View Press via Getty Images)
“When you look at people’s ability to get hit from New York and New Jersey, the iconic skyline and views from this, and then, when you just think about where to put the party, there is nowhere better,” Lasry said. “It’s a unique place to put on the most iconic fanfest that we’re looking at. To be able to do so in New Jersey for New York, it’s gathering the kind of partnership.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup takes place in North America next year and will be shown on Fox Sports.
