FIFA has hit out at the United States after local authorities asked the governing body to subsidize travel costs for fans during the 2026 World Cup.
The rejection from FIFA comes after New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill expressed concern over the rising cost of transporting fans traveling to matches, with reports suggesting round trips to stadiums could cost nearly $100 (Rs 9,325.80).
“I won’t keep NJ commuters with this card for years to come, it’s not fair,” Sherrill wrote on X. “FIFA should pay for rides, but if they don’t, I won’t keep NJ commuters for one.”
The official price of the train ticket has not yet been announced, but The Athletic reported that Sherrill, the local World Cup host committee and NJ Transit refused to deny it was over $100.
Sherrill went on to add, “We inherited a deal where FIFA doesn’t contribute a single dollar to World Cup transportation. And while NJ Transit is left with a $48 million bill to safely transport 40,000 fans from the stadium to wherever they’re going, FIFA is generating $11 billion from this World Cup.”
We inherited a contract where FIFA provides $0 for transportation to the World Cup.
And while NJ TRANSIT has a $48 million bill to get fans to and from games safely, FIFA makes $11 billion.
I’m not going to keep New Jersey commuters with that tab for years pic.twitter.com/pugU8davkW— Gov. Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) April 15, 2026
“I’m not going to burden New Jersey taxpayers with that bill for years.”
FIFA BACK IN THE USA
FIFA responded strongly and defended its position, pointing to previous agreements signed with host cities.
“We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s approach to fan transportation today. The original FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City Agreements signed in 2018 required free fan transportation to all matches. Due to the financial burden this placed on host cities, in 2023 FIFA amended the host agreement requirements in all host cities as follows: All match ticket holders or other scheduled carriers will have transport costs to enable travel to stadiums on match days.
“Additionally, FIFA has worked with host cities for years on their transportation and mobility plans, including pushing for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities’ transportation.
“The FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America, along with the associated economic impact. Many of those fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight scheduled matches, 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.”
Co-hosted by the United States along with Canada and Mexico, the tournament will be the largest edition of the World Cup to date, expanding to 48 teams. However, concerns about the rising prices of fans are already beginning to cast a shadow on the preparations.
– The end
Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
16 Apr 2026 19:03 IST
