2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium? Leaders make their pitch to FIFA in Times Square
The push for New Jersey to host the 2026 World Cup final has begun.
Before a small crowd of fans inside Times Square, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and New York City Mayor Eric Adams made the case Thursday for the metro region to host the coveted final game of the men’s tournament.
At the brief star-studded event, hosted by former New York Giant Michael Strahan, officials launched the New Jersey and New York’s brand and logo that will be used to market the tournament over the next three years. In attendance were leaders from the area's three professional soccer teams — NJ/NY Gotham FC, New York Red Bull and NYCFC.
“We think we’re going to get at least eight games,” Murphy told the crowd. “That’s eight Super Bowls in six weeks, right? Just extraordinary — and every single ticket will be sold out. I guarantee it. No matter who’s playing. This is going to be biggest deal we’ve ever seen in this region.”
The reveal was part of a nationwide launch for the 2026 World Cup campaign, kicked off Wednesday night in Los Angeles at the Griffith Observatory. The Manhattan reveal was an extension of that campaign, with all 16 of the host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico expected to launch their own logos and brands Thursday.
Murphy and Adams this week began their push to get the World Cup final in 2026 to East Rutherford with a press tour in Manhattan.
By Thursday morning, the pair appeared on “Morning Joe” to continue their push to market the area. They touted the region’s diversity and strict gun laws.
Final decision likely by September
A final decision about where games will be played is expected by FIFA this fall, likely September, Murphy said on “Morning Joe.” MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium near Dallas are all considered top contenders.
The United States has hosted a World Cup three times — the men’s tournament in 1994, and the women’s tournament in 1999 and 2003 — and the final game historically has been played near Los Angeles. Two of those matches were held at the iconic Rose Bowl stadium. In 2026, the Los Angeles-area stadium slated to host games is the three-year-old SoFi Stadium.
SoFi has long been considered a top contender for the final. However, there has been speculation the stadium, built specifically for American football, may not meet FIFA’s rigorous World Cup final standards. Because the field is too narrow for soccer, officials may need to remove some seats to widen it, which would reduce stadium capacity. The issue was first reported by The Times in England in March.
MetLife could host eight World Cup games
Officials anticipate MetLife will host eight games in 2026, Murphy said on Thursday. A final would be a historic feat for the soccer-crazed region, which hosted the Copa America final in 2016.
“It’s not just about the games. It’s about the legacy," Murphy said. "It’s about the excitement it will build, especially among young people — not just going into 2026, but from ’26 on for decades to come."
He then made an additional pitch to FIFA, which is in the process of narrowing down host countries for the 2027 women’s World Cup. In April, the sports’ governing body, U.S. Soccer, announced its intent to submit a joint bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the Mexican Football Federation, in a move that could bring the World Cup to U.S. soil two years in a row.
“Wouldn’t mind doing the women [World Cup] again in 2027, by the way,” Murphy said, to cheers from the crowd. “Hold that thought. The mayor and I will be back here on that one.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium? Leaders make a pitch
