2026 World Cup: FIFA slams soaring transport prices around MetLife Stadium

World Cup 2026 18 April 2026 at 04:02

Nouya M'toama

News Editor

Just over a year before the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, the first signs of tension are surfacing over logistics. At the center of the storm: a dramatic surge in transportation prices between New York and MetLife Stadium, which the world football governing body has called “unprecedented.”

The price of a round-trip train ticket, usually set at around a dozen dollars, is expected to soar to $150 during the tournament. This more than tenfold increase has sparked outrage from FIFA. In a statement, FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Heimo Schirgi denounced the pricing as “arbitrary,” warning that it could discourage a large number of fans. According to him, such a policy risks pushing supporters toward alternative means of transport, potentially disrupting the overall organization of fan flows around the stadiums.

A standoff with local authorities

The fare hike comes from the New Jersey transportation authority, which is bracing for massive crowds during the competition. But FIFA isn’t having it, stating that it has never faced such a financial demand at any comparable major event.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill argues that the global football body should help cover the costs, pointing to the expected revenues from the tournament, estimated in the billions of dollars.

FIFA stands by its economic model

FIFA firmly contests this position. The organization insists that these are revenues, not profits, highlighting its status as a non-profit entity. According to FIFA, all funds generated by the World Cup are reinvested into the global development of football, particularly for youth and the women’s game.

A major issue for the fan experience

This dispute brings a crucial issue for the 2026 World Cup into sharp focus: infrastructure accessibility. While the journey from Penn Station to the stadium takes just about thirty minutes, the cost of transport could become a major obstacle for fans, at a time when the tournament aims to set new attendance records.

This is a sensitive issue, one that could quickly become a real-world test of coordination between international organizers and local authorities.