$20M more going toward FIFA World Cup
STATE KICKS IN
By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... The regional host committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will receive another $20 million in taxpayer dollars from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.
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The money was earmarked for the agency by former Governor Phil Murphy as one of his last acts in office, and the allocation was approved by the agency's board last week. [03/12/2026]
..... The tournament - which kicks off June 10, 2026, and wraps with a final match at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026 - is the first to take place in three countries, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
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A total of 48 nations will play for a chance to hoist the trophy at midfield at MedLife Stadium in East Rutherford on July 19. [2026]
..... Of the $20 million, $5 million will be used for the initiative Governor Mikie Sherrill announced a few weeks ago to support fan events in communities across the state.
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The reaming $15 million will go directly to the host committee to "extend existing support for planning and implementation efforts."
..... Through the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, the state provided a loan of $15 million to the regional host committee, due to be paid back in full by the end of the year. [2026]
.....That's in addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars spent by the state for renovations and upgrades to both the stadium and NJ Transit. Though no estimated cost for the tournament has been made public, the total spent or contracted is about $307 million, according to documents obtained by NorthJersey.com . The bid for the matches to be played in East Rutherford was part of an partnership between the state of New York and New York City. The host city obligations are the responsibility of both New Jersey and New York City, and officials have previously said costs would be split with New York City.
..... There is still no formal agreement in place with New York City.