The war of words between New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and FIFA took a fresh twist on Friday, after weeks of back and forth between the two centered around the cost of transporting fans to and from MetLife Stadium to New York City.
Train tickets from Penn Station to the Meadowlands, a roughly nine-mile journey which usually costs $12.90, were set to cost fans $150 on gameday , with Sherrill furious with FIFA for not fronting the cost.
“We inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup,” she wrote on social media. “And while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48 million bill to safely get fans to and from games, FIFA is making $11 billion.
FIFA's 2026 World Cup COO, Heimo Schirgi, recently claimed that 'The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect' -Credit:Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images
“I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come. FIFA should pay for the rides. But if they don’t – I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one.”
In response, the World Cup’s COO, Heimo Schirgi, stated via Reuters , “The NJ Transit current pricing model will have a chilling effect. Elevated fares inevitably push fans toward alternative transportation options.
“This increases concerns of congestion, late arrivals, and creates broader ripple effects that ultimately diminish the economic benefit and lasting legacy the entire region stands to gain from hosting the World Cup.
“Furthermore, to arbitrarily set elevated prices and demand FIFA absorb these costs is unprecedented. No other global event, concert or major sporting promoter has faced such a demand.”
On Thursday, it was announced that fares would be reduced to $105 , courtesy of unnamed “sponsors and other sources,” according to NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri, speaking with The Athletic .
This fee could yet be dropped even further, should other “sources” come forward before the tournament kicks off on June 11.
But still clearly frustrated with FIFA’s response and general handling of the overall situation, the Governor’s Press Office took to social media on Friday, adding to the ever-mounting criticism surrounding gameday ticket prices.
Resale tickets are only available via FIFA’s designated platform, with a recent post noting how a single seat for the final was up for sale for $32,970.
“Does charging $32,970 for a ticket qualify as a ‘chilling effect’? Asking for a friend,” the Press Office commented, in a nod to Schirgi’s previous comments.
But while fans may be frustrated with ticket prices, with even U.S. President Donald Trump admitting he felt it had gone too far , FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently defended their resale platform , even though some had been listed for $2 million.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended ticket prices on Wednesday -Credit:Luiza Moraes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
“If some people put on the resale market, some tickets for the final at $2 million, number one, it doesn't mean that the tickets cost $2 million,” Infantino said. “And number two, it doesn't mean that somebody will buy these tickets.
“And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring him a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience.
“We have to look at the market – we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates. In the U.S., it is permitted to resell tickets as well. So if you were to sell tickets at a price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price.
“And as a matter of fact, even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price, more than double our price.”
And while U.S. fans are being charged sky-high rates, by comparison, it is illegal in Mexico and in Ontario, Canada , to resell tickets for above their original total cost.
