New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has now shifted the focus of the World Cup transportation row directly onto FIFA.
The ongoing dispute has already centered around soaring transit costs, but Sherrill is now pointing to deeper issues within the original agreement itself.
And according to her, the burden on New Jersey goes far beyond just ticket prices.
Mikie Sherrill calls out FIFA agreement amid transit plan rollout
In a statement shared via Governor Mikie Sherrill’s X handle, the New Jersey governor laid out her position.
“New Jersey is ready and excited to host eight FIFA World Cup matches this summer, including the World Cup Final.
“Since I took office, my Administration has been working to prepare for the biggest sporting event our state has ever seen, and today, NJ Transit released their Mobility Plan to move 40,000 fans to and from each match safely and efficiently,” Sherrill wrote.
She added, “In the FIFA World Cup agreement that my Administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans.”
The statement reinforces New Jersey’s stance that the financial responsibility has been uneven from the start, especially with the scale of operations required for the tournament.
Mikie Sherrill targets MetLife parking removal and $48M burden
Sherrill also pointed to a key decision that has intensified the situation, stating, “It also eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ Transit.
“This agreement will cost NJ Transit at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.”
The NJ Governor concluded, “As I have said repeatedly, FIFA should cover the cost of transporting its fans. If it won’t, we will not be subsidizing World Cup ticket holders on the backs of New Jerseyans who rely on NJ Transit every day.”
With parking removed, the reliance on public transit has increased significantly, forcing NJ Transit to handle volumes far beyond typical game-day operations.
That shift is central to the dispute, especially as the state pushes back against absorbing costs tied to a tournament expected to generate billions globally.
As the World Cup approaches, the standoff between FIFA and New Jersey is no longer just about pricing. It is about who ultimately pays for the infrastructure behind the spectacle.
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