US Transit Prices Spark Outrage Among World Cup 2026 Football Fans

US Politicians Criticize FIFA’s Handling of World Cup Transportation Costs

FIFA, the governing body of international football, has faced criticism from US politicians over its handling of transportation costs to World Cup 2026 matches. The US-based website The Athletic reported that New Jersey Transit plans to charge fans more than $100 for tickets from Penn Station in Manhattan to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey during the tournament.

According to reports, a return ticket normally costs $12.90, while Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has confirmed that return tickets from Boston to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts will cost $80 - up from the usual event-day price of $20.

Guillaume Aupretre, a spokesman for France’s main supporters’ group, expressed outrage over the increased costs, stating that FIFA should subsidize domestic transit. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer have also criticized FIFA, citing the high cost of transportation as unfair to fans.

FIFA has responded by stating that the original host city agreements required free transportation for fans to all matches. However, a re-negotiation stipulated that transport would be offered “at cost” on match days. The organization added that it is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.

US federal funding has been allocated to host cities for transit network costs, including $8.7m for Boston and Massachusetts, and $10.4m for the New York-New Jersey area. Los Angeles’s transit agency has received $9.6m.

Source: Al Jazeera