‘Quite surprised’: FIFA has stinging response to NJ gov’s World Cup transit demand

Unprecedented crowds of World Cup fans are expected to use NJ Transit to travel between New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium on match days this summer. There are eight, including the final.

A report by The Athletic this week indicated NJ Transit could charge more than $100 for a round-trip ticket — a 700% markup from the $12.90 it usually costs to ride a few stops.

That eye-popping number has drawn outcry from the public and elected officials alike.

The governor of New Jersey became the latest elected official to weigh in.

“We have inherited an agreement in which FIFA doesn’t contribute a single dollar toward transportation for the World Cup. And while NJ Transit is left with a $48 million bill to safely transport 40,000 fans from the stadium to wherever they’re headed, FIFA is generating $11 billion from this World Cup,” Sherrill wrote in a post on X.

“I’m not going to burden New Jersey taxpayers with that bill for years. FIFA must cover the cost of transportation,” she said. “But if they don’t—I’m not going to let New Jersey come out on the losing end of this.”

Sherrill said she’d approve the fare increase if need be.

A FIFA spokesperson issued a searing statement Thursday, saying the organization was “quite surprised by the NJ governor’s approach on fan transportation.” The spokesperson said the original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City agreements requires free transit for fans to all matches. To lessen the burden on host cities, FIFA says it modified the requirements in 2023 to secure access to transit, public or otherwise, to matches.

“Moreover, FIFA has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation,” the statement continued.

“The FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact. Many of these fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled, including the FIFA World Cup Final,” the spokesperson said. “FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

Whatever happens, it won’t fall on New Jerseyeans, officials pledge. At Wednesday’s board of directors meeting, Kolluri responded to questions by referring to Sherrill’s statements.

“The governor has said in no uncertain terms that whatever the fare is going to be will not be subsidized by our regular commuters. That is an inviolate principle. I would think that every NJ Transit customer would stand behind it,” Kolluri said.

“It is going to cost us $48 million, no small number at least, to run these games for the 8 games,” he added. We will, make no mistake, we will charge the FIFA fans for those tickets and not subsidize by our customers.” 

In New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer also called on FIFA to step up.

“FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill,” Schumer wrote on X. “The least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am demanding FIFA step up.”

The World Cup host committee for New York City/New Jersey has not provided a comment on The Athletic report, referring questions to NJ Transit. An agency spokesperson has said pricing was not yet final.

“The ticket prices for match day travel have not been finalized. However, as the Governor has clearly stated, the cost for the eight matches will not be borne by our regular commuters. We can confirm that the overall cost to the agency is approximately $48 million for the eight matches,” the NJ Transit spokesperson said.

MetLife Stadium — which is losing its name for the duration of the soccer tournament — will host eight World Cup matches between June 13 and July 19. The last match date is also the FIFA World Cup 26 Final.

There have also been rumored plans to shut down parts of New York Penn Station for certain hours on match days, as first reported by the Bergen Record. NJ Transit has confirmed only that a temporary diversion plan will be in place, saying it is necessary to conduct security checks the likes of which the agency hasn’t seen before.

With limited parking access to American Dream —  ranging from $225 to $300 — the only ways to get to the stadium are by train, stadium shuttle, and ride share.

Full details are expected Friday.