World Cup 2026 fans are angry as a New Jersey transport system plans to increase train prices for the tournament by $100 (£76), seven times the rate.
As reported GuardianNew Jersey Transit lists the price of a round-trip ticket at $12.90 from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches this summer, including the final. But pricing for the World Cup period, as reported by Earlier this week The AthleticShows return tickets over $100. No price reductions are shown for children, senior citizens or people with disabilities. However, New Jersey Transit told Fox 5 New York That the price has not been finalized and a decision is expected in the next few days.
Meanwhile, New Jersey Governor Mickey Sherrill has hit out at FIFA after reports that the state’s transportation system could charge $100 for return tickets to World Cup matches.
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The Guardian also wrote that Sherrill did not clarify the cost of transportation during the World Cup, but blamed FIFA for any price increases and suggested that the organization should “pay for the ride”.
“You may have seen some recent headlines about transportation costs for the World Cup games in New Jersey,” Sherrill said in a post on social media. “So let me tell you where things stand.
He also said: “Our administration inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup. Zero. That ends up new Jersey $48 million in transit to safely bring 40,000 fans to each game.
“At the same time, FIFA is making $11 billion from this World Cup, and charging fans up to $10,000 for a ticket to the finals. I won’t let New Jersey travelers foot that tab for years to come, it’s not fair. So the basic thing here is: FIFA should pay for the ride, but I won’t let New Jersey travelers pay for a ticket if they don’t.”
MetLife Stadium to host games (Image: Getty)
FIFA responded with the following statement: “We are quite surprised by today’s stance from the NJ Governor on fan transportation. The original FIFA World Cup 2026 host city agreement signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches.
“Recognizing the financial pressure placed on host cities, in 2023 FIFA adjusted the host agreement requirements in all host cities as follows: All match ticket holders and accredited persons will be able to use transport (public or additional planned transport) at cost to allow travel to stadiums on match days.
“FIFA worked for years with host cities on transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities with transportation.”
Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter. (Image: Getty)
Earlier this year, former FIFA president Sepp Blatter said he supported fans boycotting World Cup matches in the United States this year due to safety concerns. The newspaper also said Blatter supported Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Marc Pieth, who had worked with FIFA on potential reforms when Blatter was president, and said fans should stay away from the United States for the tournament.
According to The Guardian, Pythe cited the killing of protester Renee Good by a US immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this month as a reason for supporters not to travel to the US. The newspaper also said Blatter and former UEFA chief Michel Platini were definitively acquitted last year of charges related to a delayed payment of 2 million Swiss francs ($2.5 million) made by FIFA to Platini in 2011 for consultancy services.
The World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in America, Canada and Mexico.
