World Cup train row erupts with Fifa blamed for extortionate prices

Jack Otway
Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:39:57 +0000

New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has accused FIFA of leaving fans to shoulder inflated transport costs for this summer's World Cup, demanding the governing body provide financial support.

The governor took to X on Wednesday evening to criticise the arrangement her state inherited.

"We inherited an agreement where Fifa is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup," she wrote.

Sherrill highlighted the stark financial disparity, noting that NJ Transit faces a £35.4m ($48m) bill for safely moving supporters to and from matches, whilst FIFA generates approximately £8.1bn ($11bn) in revenue.

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"Fifa should pay for the rides," she insisted.

Train fares for the half-hour journey from Penn Station in New York to MetLife Stadium are set to surge dramatically under special event pricing plans.

According to The Athletic, tickets could exceed £73.80 ($100), representing a sevenfold jump from the standard return fare of £9.50 ($12.90).

Families and older supporters face particular hardship, as no concession rates are being offered. Children and pensioners will be required to pay identical prices to adults.

NY Transit is expected to formally announce the pricing structure on Friday.

Similar increases have already been implemented at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough near Boston, where rail tickets have risen to £59 ($80) and coach fares to £70 ($95).

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FIFA expressed surprise at the governor's criticism, with a spokesperson outlining the organisation's position on the matter.

The governing body pointed to changes made in 2023, when original Host City Agreements from 2018 were revised.

Initially, free transport for all match attendees had been mandated, but this was amended to require travel "at cost" following recognition of the financial burden on host cities.

The spokesperson stated that FIFA had spent years collaborating with host cities on transport planning and had advocated for federal funding worth millions of dollars.

FIFA also noted it was unaware of any previous major event at the stadium where organisers had been expected to fund supporter transport.

The elevated fares will directly affect supporters of both England and Scotland travelling to matches this summer.

England face Ghana at Foxborough on 23 June before moving to MetLife Stadium for their group stage encounter with Panama on 27 June.

Steve Clarke's Scotland squad will play twice at the Massachusetts venue, meeting Haiti on 13 June and Morocco six days later.

Beyond rail costs, driving to matches presents its own financial challenges. Parking at MetLife Stadium is priced at £166 ($225) per vehicle, whilst Foxborough charges £129 ($175) for a single space.