• World Cup fans will pay $150 for a round-trip train ticket to MetLife Stadium with only 40,000 train tickets will be available per match day
• MetLife Stadium will host the eight World Cup matches, including the final
• Meanwhile, the New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill says FIFA should cover transportation costs

Fans travelling to the New York-New Jersey area for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have to pay $150 for a 36-mile round-trip train journey between New York City and Meadowlands Stadium, which will host eight matches, including the final.

Officials announced on Friday, April 17, that only 40,000 train tickets will be made available for each match day, despite the usual return fare to the stadium being just $12.90.

“We are going to charge $150 for our round-trip ticket on our system. So from New York to MetLife, MetLife back to New York,” said Kris Kolluri, president and CEO of NJ Transit.

The announcement follows earlier reports that World Cup transport costs would rise sharply for fans travelling to MetLife Stadium.

Mikie Sherrill blamed FIFA for the fare increase, arguing that the organisation should contribute to the cost of transporting fans.

The governor said the state is facing a $48 million bill to ensure safe travel arrangements for supporters attending the eight games at the stadium.

“I won’t stick New Jersey commuters for that tab for years to come, that’s not fair,” Sherrill wrote on social media.

“So here’s the bottom line: FIFA should pay for the rides, but if they don’t, I’m not going to let New Jersey commuters get taken for one.”

Sherrill also pointed out that FIFA is expected to make around $11 billion from the tournament.

Chuck Schumer echoed that view earlier in the week, saying FIFA should help cover transportation costs for World Cup venues.

FIFA, however, criticised the fare increase and insisted that host city agreements originally required free transport for supporters travelling to matches.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, fans were able to use the Doha Metro free of charge on match days.

According to FIFA, the original arrangement was later renegotiated so transport could be offered “at cost” rather than entirely free.

“We are quite surprised by the NJ Governor’s approach to fan transportation,” FIFA said.

“The FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact.”

The organisation added, “FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc., where organisers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

Kathy Hochul also criticised the proposed fare.

“Charging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me,” Hochul wrote on X.

Federal authorities have allocated around $100 million to help host cities manage transit costs linked to the tournament, including about $10.4 million for the New York-New Jersey area.

Community reaction online has been sharply divided, with some fans accusing authorities of price gouging while others argue taxpayers should not be left to cover FIFA-related expenses.

World Cup 2026: FIFA names 52 referees across 50 countries, including six women

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) had officially unveiled the list of match officials for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, confirming the selection of 52 referees, including six women, for the tournament scheduled from June 11 to July 19.

The global football governing body also appointed 88 assistant referees and 30 video match officials drawn from all six confederations and 50 member associations, marking the most diverse and extensive officiating team in World Cup history.