WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following reports that the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) is not contributing a single dollar for transit costs to and from World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium, Congressmembers Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Dan Goldman (NY-10), and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) are calling on FIFA to subsidize transit costs to ensure that the event remains accessible to fans. Menendez and the members are demanding that FIFA work with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to lower the cost of transit to the World Cup immediately.
“FIFA is making billions of dollars while refusing to contribute anything to assist NJ TRANSIT with transporting fans to and from World Cup matches,” said Congressman Menendez. “Sticking New Jersey with a $48 million bill for transit costs is completely unacceptable. FIFA must step up and work with NJ TRANSIT and the States of New Jersey and New York to lower transit costs and make the World Cup accessible for our constituents.”
“According to FIFA’s own estimates reported last month, FIFA stands to generate revenues in excess of $11 billion from the 2026 World Cup. However, despite these anticipated profits, the association is not putting a single dollar toward transporting fans to the World Cup venue,” wrote the members. “We are confident that, like us, FIFA does not want to make the tournament games available only to the wealthy. Given the revenue that FIFA will generate from these games, it is incumbent on the organization to subsidize transportation costs to allow global citizens to take in the most popular sporting event in the world.”
Nearly 20 million Americans rely on the transit services of NJ TRANSIT and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority. The World Cup is expected to bring an additional 1.2 million visitors to the area, putting additional strain on a transit system that is already heavily trafficked.
The added cost of providing safe and efficient service to transport this volume of visitors will cost NJ TRANSIT $48 million. As a result, and to ensure every day commuters are not subsidizing this additional round-trip service from New York City to the stadium, round trip tickets to MetLife are expected to cost $150 per person. With limited alternative options to get to the stadium, the members are calling on FIFA to work with local officials and subsidize the cost of these tickets to ensure that all fans can access the stadium for an affordable price.
Congressman Menendez has been a leader on transit affordability and accessibility. He has helped to secure billions of dollars in federal funding for public transit infrastructure projects including the Gateway Program and the Northeast Corridor.
The full text of the letter is available here.
