Meadowlands, Maybe? Precise World Cup Game Locations Not Announced

By George N. Saliba, Managing Editor On Jun 13, 2018

Today’s “buzz” is that the FIFA 2026 World Cup soccer bonanza will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and that the Meadowland’s MetLife Stadium could potentially host the final game, thereby spotlighting New Jersey before a global television audience, replete with New Jersey-bound tourists booking restaurants/hotels, and, in turn, injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.

Yes, the games will be held in the US, Canada and Mexico. However, contrary to numerous and contradictory published reports as of 3:30 p.m. (EST), FIFA will not actually make final venue choices (within those three countries) for either the final game or the dozens of other 2026 World Cup tournament games, at this time.

As Governor Murphy correctly stated this morning, “I’m thrilled that the United Bid, a joint effort by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, has been selected to host the FIFA 2026 World Cup and look forward to the next step in the process in which specific venues from these countries will be selected to host tournament games.

“MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands region are an ideal site for the World Cup. New Jersey has hosted World Cup matches before and we are more than ready to do so again.

“MetLife Stadium is an internationally-renowned facility with first-class amenities. The Meadowlands region includes hundreds of hotels to house fans from all over the world and first-rate entertainment, shopping and dining, all just across the river from New York City.”

While it is hard to imagine that the MetLife Stadium will not host at least some of the games, New Jerseyans must – for the time being – hold onto their soccer balls and wait for a determination.

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