World Cup 2026 fans have been left furious as the New Jersey transport system plans to hike train prices to $100 (£76) for the tournament, a sevenfold increase.
As reproted by The Guardian, New Jersey Transit lists the price for a round-trip ticket from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium, which will host eight World Cup matches this summer, including the final, as $12.90. But pricing for the World Cup period, reported by The Athletic earlier this week, shows a return ticket at more than $100. The pricing does not show any reductions for children, seniors or people with disabilities. New Jersey Transit, however, 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’s governor, Mikie Sherrill, has hit out at Fifa after reports the state’s transport system could charge $100 for a return ticket to World Cup matches.
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The Guardian also wrote Sherrill did not clarify the cost of transport during the World Cup but blamed Fifa for any price rises suggesting the organisation “should pay for the rides”.
“You may have seen some recent headlines about transportation costs for World Cup games in New Jersey,” Sherrill said in a post on social media. “So let me tell you exactly where things stand.
She also said: “Our administration inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup. Zero. That leaves New Jersey Transit with a $48m to safely get 40,000 fans to and from every game.
“At the same time, Fifa is making $11bn off of this World Cup, and charging fans up to $10,000 for a single ticket for the final. I won’t stick New Jersey commuters for that tab for years to come, that’s not fair. So here’s the bottom line: Fifa should pay for the rides, but if they don’t I’m not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one.”
The MetLife stadium will host games (Image: Getty)
Fifa replied with the following statement: “We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s 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.
“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 for transportation.”
Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter. (Image: Getty)
Earlier this year, former Fifa president Sepp Blatter said he supports fans boycotting World Cup matches in the United States this year due to security concerns. Blatter supported Swiss anti-corruption lawyer Mark Pieth, who worked with Fifa on potential reforms when Blatter was president, saying fans should stay away from the US for the tournament, the newspaper also said.
According to The Guardian, Pieth cited the killing of protester Renee Good by an American immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this month as one reason for supporters not to travel to the US. The newspaper also added that Blatter and the former UEFA chief Michel Platini were last year acquitted definitively on charges stemming from a delayed payment of 2m Swiss francs ($2.5m) Fifa made to Platini in 2011 for consultancy services.
The World Cup will take place in the US, Canada, and Mexico from 11 June to 19 July.
