All posts tagged: FIFA

New Jersey’s 0 transit fare will have ‘chilling effect’, FIFA warns

New Jersey’s $150 transit fare will have ‘chilling effect’, FIFA warns

Published by Sam Flores

April 18 : New Jersey’s decision to charge $150 for round-trip transit to World Cup games will have a “chilling effect” on fans, FIFA have warned as the fare represents a 10-fold increase from the usual $15 for the route. The dramatic price hike adds to the cost of World Cup match tickets, which can run into the thousands of dollars, especially on the resale market. The MetLife Stadium is set to host eight matches, including the July 19 final. New Jersey Transit CEO Kris Kolluri had defended the pricing, citing higher passenger volumes due to closed public parking around the stadium and increased costs from World Cup security requirements. Heimo Schirgi, the Chief Operating Officer for the 2026 World Cup, said the price increase would force fans to look at alternative options. “The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options,” Schirgi said in a statement. “This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic …

World Cup 2026: FIFA chief Infantino defends pricing and tickets in US | World Cup 2026 News

World Cup 2026: FIFA chief Infantino defends pricing and tickets in US | World Cup 2026 News

Published by Sam Flores

Gianni Infantino responds to criticism for pricing of 2026 edition highlighting ‘very special’ US market as factor. Published On 17 Apr 202617 Apr 2026 FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended high ‌ticket prices for this year’s World Cup in North America by saying ⁠that ⁠the event, which captivates the globe, is the organisation’s only source of income every four years. Speaking at Semafor’s annual world economy summit in New ⁠York on Friday, Infantino also reiterated that FIFA is a nonprofit organisation that has 211 nations as members. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list “What many people don’t know, because, of course, we generate billions in a World ⁠Cup, people don’t know FIFA is a nonprofit organisation, which means all the revenue we generate, we invest them in the organisation of the game, in 211 countries all over the world,” Infantino said on stage during a Q&A session. “Three-quarters of [those countries] ‌probably would not be able to have organised football without the grants we could give them. So we always try to find the …

World Cup fans will have to pay 0 for NY stadium train ticket, officials say

World Cup fans will have to pay $150 for NY stadium train ticket, officials say

Published by Sam Flores

World Cup fans will have to pay $150 for the 58-km roundtrip train ride between New York and Meadowlands stadium when it hosts eight matches including the final, local officials said Friday. Just 40,000 train tickets will be available for each of the games to be played at the New Jersey sports complex, a return rail trip to which is typically just $12.90, officials said at a briefing. “We are going to charge $150 for our roundtrip ticket on our system. So from New York to MetLife, MetLife back to New York,” said Kris Kolluri, the president and CEO of NJ Transit, using another name for the stadium. Read moreAmnesty warns 2026 World Cup across North America risks becoming a ‘stage for repression’ After reports first emerged in The Athletic of the plans to charge World Cup fans far in excess of normal fares, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill blamed FIFA for the price hikes. She pointed to a $48 million bill the state faces to ensure the safety of fans going to the eight …

FIFA Rebukes NJ’s Lefty Governor In Transportation Dispute

FIFA Rebukes NJ’s Lefty Governor In Transportation Dispute

Published by Jenni Sidey

Authored by Luis Cornelio via Headline USA, Leaders behind the 2026 FIFA World Cup rebuked New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill after she launched what appeared to be a social media campaign complaining that the state would be stuck footing the bill for public transportation tied to the event. The 2026 World Cup is set to span multiple days, including eight matches at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium in June. Estimates suggest the games could generate over $3 billion in economic impact for the region. However, the state is expected to expand public transportation services, as has been typical for previous World Cup host sites. The agreement between FIFA and New Jersey was signed under Sherrill’s predecessor, former Gov. Phil Murphy, a Democrat who left office in January. “We inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup,” Sherrill wrote on X, adding that New Jersey is expected to cover roughly $48 million in transportation costs. “I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come. FIFA should pay for the rides. But if they don’t …

A practical guide to the 2026 World Cup

A practical guide to the 2026 World Cup

Published by Sam Flores

BBC Sport and ITV have once again split the matches between them, with two of England’s group matches on ITV (the first against Croatia and third against Panama) and one on BBC (the second match against Ghana). The final will be shown on both channels simultaneously. Since the 1998 World Cup, England’s win percentage at major tournaments is considerably better on BBC, leading to fears of an “ITV curse”. Scotland’s group games follow the reverse pattern, with their group-stage opener against Haiti and third match against Brazil on BBC and the middle game against Morocco on ITV. For the first time, parts of the World Cup will be free to watch on YouTube after Fifa struck an agreement with the streaming platform. The first 10 minutes of every game will be streamed live on YouTube, with broadcasters sharing a select number of full matches on the website. “Content creators” will be part of the coverage as Fifa seeks to attract a new generation of fans. Fan groups demanded an immediate halt to World Cup ticket …

SoFi Stadium workers urge FIFA to bar ICE from World Cup, threaten strike

SoFi Stadium workers urge FIFA to bar ICE from World Cup, threaten strike

Published by Sam Flores

LOS ANGELES, April 6 : A union representing about 2,000 food service workers at SoFi Stadium said on Monday it was demanding that FIFA keep U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement away from World Cup operations in Los Angeles and warned workers could strike if their concerns are not addressed. Unite Here Local 11, which represents cooks, servers and bartenders at the Inglewood venue, said the workers remain without a labour contract as the World Cup approaches. The union laid out three main demands to FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment: a public commitment that ICE and Border Patrol will play no role in the tournament, protections for union jobs and working conditions, and support for affordable housing for hospitality workers. Acting Department of Homeland Security Director Todd Lyons has said that ICE would play a “key part” in the World Cup, a prospect the union said threatened worker and guest safety in Los Angeles. FIFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Representatives from SoFi Stadium declined to comment. Local 11 …

Canadian clubs and officials get ready for FIFA offside experiment

Canadian clubs and officials get ready for FIFA offside experiment

Published by Sam Flores

WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 3 : Players and match officials in Canada’s national soccer league are rewiring their brains and bodies as a critical test of provisional FIFA offside rules takes place on Saturday. The provisional rule, known as an “alternative offside law” by world football authorities, will be tested in the Canadian Premier League’s season opener on Saturday in Hamilton, Ontario between hosts Forge FC and reigning champions Atletico Ottawa.  “Just having that idea that most of those times you’re not going to be offside now, I think it just adds a bit more confidence in players making the runs, whether it’s wingers, strikers or attacking midfielders,” Forge FC forward Tristan Borges told reporters on Friday. “Defenders are going to be a little bit more wary of it and watching it a little bit more, which ultimately will add more excitement to the game.” FIFA says the rule has evolved from ideas designed “to enhance match tempo and reduce time-wasting,” as well as to promote a more attacking style of play.  Former Arsenal manager Arsene …

FIFA boosts World Cup ticket prices once again : NPR

FIFA boosts World Cup ticket prices once again : NPR

Published by Sam Flores

The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed during the official draw ceremony held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 5, 2025. Pool/Getty Images North America hide caption toggle caption Pool/Getty Images North America FIFA is once again raising prices for a substantial number of games in the upcoming World Cup tournament that will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico in June and July. The price increases took place in FIFA’s latest sales window that kicked off on Wednesday, with 40 out of 104 games now costing more than in the last sales window, according to an NPR examination of prices. The hikes can be stark. The most expensive “Category 1” tickets for the final will now cost $10,990, a broad area that covers most of the lower two bowls of MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where the last game of the tournament will be held in July. That’s significantly more than the nearly $8,700 at which these tickets were priced in FIFA’s previous …

Apple Sports Now Lets You Follow Your Favorite 2026 FIFA World Cup Teams

Apple Sports Now Lets You Follow Your Favorite 2026 FIFA World Cup Teams

Published by skeptic

Apple today updated the Sports app for iPhone to add more 2026 FIFA World Cup content. Soccer fans are now able to view complete tournament groupings and follow their favorite national teams in the app. This is the first 48-team World Cup and a departure from the traditional 32-team format. Following teams allows Apple Sports users to get real-time score updates and stats, plus there is support for Live Activities for tracking games. Apple says that it’s easier than ever for fans to stay up to date on the tournament action when it begins on June 11. The Apple Sports app lets users follow their favorite teams, tournaments, and leagues, with tools for navigating between scores and upcoming games, viewing play-by-play and lineup details, and tapping into the Apple TV app to watch live events. Apple Sports includes support for more than 30 of the top soccer leagues and tournaments across North America, Latin America, and Europe. The Apple Sports app is free to download from the App Store. Popular Stories Apple Preparing ‘Most Significant …

FIFA Raises Top Ticket Price for World Cup Final to ,990 During Glitch-Hampered Sales Reopening

FIFA Raises Top Ticket Price for World Cup Final to $10,990 During Glitch-Hampered Sales Reopening

Published by Sam Flores

FIFA raised its top ticket price for the World Cup final to $10,990 during the glitch-hampered reopening of sales Wednesday after the 48-team field for this year’s tournament was finalized. The price had been $8,680 when FIFA sold tickets after the tournament draw in December. FIFA’s category 2 tickets for the July 19 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, were $7,380, up from $5,575, and category 3 cost $5,785, an increase $4,185. Tickets were listed for 17 of the 72 group-stage matches by Wednesday night and none of the knockout stage games. Soccer’s governing body is using dynamic pricing for the tournament, which will be played in 11 U.S. cities plus three in Mexico and two in Canada. Only $2,735 tickets, the highest-priced seats, were available by evening for the U.S. opener on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, and the price was unchanged from December. No tickets were listed for the Americans’ June 19 game against Australia at Seattle or their June 25 match against Turkey at …