US Criticizes FIFA Over Rising Transport Costs for World Cup

US Lawmakers and Governor Request FIFA Assistance with World Cup Transport Costs

Two high-ranking officials in the United States have requested that FIFA, the governing body of international football, provide financial assistance to cover public transportation costs for the 2026 World Cup. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and US Senator Chuck Schumer made the request amid reports of significant price hikes for train tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

According to a report by The Athletic, train tickets for World Cup games are expected to exceed $100 each way, with the standard fare being $12.90. Sherrill stated that FIFA should bear the cost of transportation for fans, citing the financial burden on local authorities and taxpayers. Schumer echoed this sentiment, stating that it is unfair for New York residents to subsidize an estimated $11 billion in revenue generated by the World Cup.

FIFA has responded with a statement outlining its mobility plans for host cities, which include providing free or low-cost transportation for fans to all matches. The organization has also emphasized its advocacy efforts for federal funding to support host cities’ transportation infrastructure.

The request from Sherrill and Schumer comes as other US states, including Massachusetts, have already announced significant price hikes for World Cup-related transportation costs.

Source: Al Jazeera