New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer called on FIFA to contribute toward the $48 million in transit security costs that NJ Transit faces to transport fans to and from 2026 World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium. The stadium will host eight World Cup games, including the tournament final.

"We inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup, and while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48 million bill to safely get fans to and from games, FIFA is making $11 billion," Sherrill said. "FIFA should pay for the rides."

NJ Transit is considering charging $100 for train tickets to shuttle fans between New York Penn Station and MetLife Stadium, compared to the standard fare of $12.90. The agency's board of directors unanimously approved a resolution to set transport prices to cover any and all costs to transport fans and comply with Sherrill's directive. Parking will be restricted at the Meadowlands stadium complex compared to NFL games, making public transport one of the main options to attend World Cup matches. The governor, asked whether she would pursue additional measures to press FIFA, added: "I will, if that's what it takes, because I'm not putting this on the back of New Jerseyans."

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri said the pricing plan was designed to protect existing riders. "It will cost us $48 million. We will charge FIFA fans for those tickets, and it will not be subsidized by our commuters," he said.

"FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer's World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill," Schumer said. "The least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am demanding FIFA step up."

The original host city agreements signed in 2018 for the 2026 World Cup required free transportation for fans to all matches. In 2023, FIFA adjusted those requirements across all host cities to allow match ticket holders and accredited individuals to access transport at cost to travel to stadiums on match days. FIFA said it is not aware of any other major event previously held at MetLife Stadium where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.

New Jersey's host travel committee released a plan for transport and parking during the matches, outlining a park-and-ride plan with specific parking lots and shuttle buses that will run to and from the stadium. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, ticket holders used the city's Metro system at no cost, funded by the Qatari government. UEFA bore the cost of ticket holders using German public transport in host cities on match days during Euro 2024. The 2026 World Cup is set to begin on June 11.