New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is in a dispute with FIFA over $100 travel prices for the 2026 World Cup. The disagreement centers on the financial burden placed on the state due to the event's logistics.
Key points
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill disputes FIFA over travel prices
Travel costs for the World Cup are set to increase significantly
The World Cup will start on June 11 in Mexico City
Final match will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium
New Jersey will host eight total World Cup matches
Mentioned in this story
FIFAMikie SherrillMetLife StadiumNew JerseyMexico City
The lead-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been met with excitement from fans around the world, but also fraught with governmental, legal and economic squabbles as the massive undertaking nears its beginning.
Set to kick off this summer on June 11 in Mexico City, the World Cup will reach a thrilling conclusion with the final five weeks later on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
While the stadium sits only a short distance from New York City, it officially resides in New Jersey, leaving the logistical burden of holding eight total World Cup matches at the feet of the New Jersey government. The real-world impact that will have on the state's transportation, law enforcement and economic sectors has been felt as the games draw closer, and this strain has culminated in a dispute.
The Sporting News explains why New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has said prices for travel to the venue will be increased significantly, why she places the fault at the feet of FIFA, and how the world football governing body has responded.
What did the New Jersey governor say about World Cup train tickets?
Amidst reports that matchday travel costs would skyrocket during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, New Jersey governor Mikie Sherrill has claimed that they had no choice but to significantly raise transportation costs to and from MetLife Stadium on game days.
"You may have seen some recent headlines about transportation costs for World Cup games in New Jersey," Sherrill, who took over as governor of New Jersey in January of 2026,Ā . "So let me tell you exactly where things stand.
Q&A
What is the dispute between Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA about?
The dispute involves Governor Mikie Sherrill criticizing FIFA for significantly increasing travel prices for the 2026 World Cup, which she believes places an unfair burden on New Jersey.
When does the 2026 FIFA World Cup start and where is the final match?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on June 11 in Mexico City, with the final match scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How many matches will be held in New Jersey during the World Cup?
New Jersey will host a total of eight matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
What logistical challenges is New Jersey facing for the World Cup?
New Jersey is facing challenges related to transportation, law enforcement, and economic impacts as it prepares to host the World Cup matches.
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"Our administration inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup. Zero. That leavesĀ New JerseyĀ Transit with a $48 million [responsibility] to safely get 40,000 fans to and from every game. At the same time, FIFA is making $11 billion off of this World Cup, and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the final. I wonāt stick New Jersey commuters for that tab for years to come, thatās not fair. So hereās the bottom line: Fifa should pay for the rides, but if they donāt Iām not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one."
Essentially, Sherrill has said that because they have given up hope that FIFA will contribute to the hefty cost of subsidizing the cost of a massive increase in travel burden during the tournament, that cost will be passed on to matchday fans instead of the New Jersey taxpayers.
How did FIFA respond?
In response to the New Jersey governor's accusations, FIFA went on the defensive.
In an official statement provided to The Sporting News and other outlets, FIFA claimed that they had initially agreed with all host sites for free transportation to be provided to all matchgoing fans. However, as the process played out, realizing that was not a realistic outcome, they had agreed for matchday transportation to be provided at base cost.
Essentially, FIFA claimed this had already been worked out years prior, and the sudden revelations by the New Jersey governor are nothing new to them.
"We are quite surprised by the NJ Governorās approach today on fan transportation. The original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches. Recognizing the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023 FIFA adjusted the Host Agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All Match Ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport (public or additionally planned transport) at cost to allow travel to Stadiums on match days.
"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 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. 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."
When asked by The Sporting News for further clarification on whether FIFA will ask the New Jersey government to reduce costs to regular everyday prices, no further comment was provided.
Why are train tickets set to be so expensive during the World Cup?
A report by Adam Crafton of The Athletic first revealed that New Jersey Transit (NJT) has planned to increase the price of a ticket for matchday train travel to and from the venue to "over $100" from its current regular price of $12.90.
According to Mikie Sherrill, FIFA has refused to provide cover for what she claims to be $48 million in increased security, construction, staffing, and general load required during FIFA World Cup match days.
Thus, instead of that money coming out of the New Jersey state budget, the cost will be passed on to fans utilizing the travel services to and from MetLife Stadium on matchdays.
Sherrill's excuse for this predicament is that her administration inherited this lopsided deal, which was agreed upon ā according to FIFA ā back in 2018 when the host bid was officially selected. At that time, Phil Murphy was the sitting New Jersey governor.
FIFA's counter claims that the cost of putting on the World Cup would be recouped in the event's significant economic impact, a claim which has been consistently repeated by FIFA and other major sporting organizations whenever they pitch a high-cost event or project. The actual real-world economic windfall of such an event is hard to pin down and difficult to approximate.
