Goldman, Menendez, Pou Call on FIFA to Subsidize Astronomical Cost of MetLife Train Tickets

April 23, 2026 Press Release Washington, D.C. - Following reports that round-trip train tickets to MetLife Stadium during the World Cup will cost $150 - nearly 12 times the usual fare - U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (NY-10), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), and Nellie Pou (NJ-09) are calling on the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) to subsidize transit costs to ensure that the event remains accessible to fans. The members are demanding that FIFA work with New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to reduce ticket prices as soon as possible. “According to FIFA’s own estimates reported last month, FIFA stands to generate revenues in excess of $11 billion from the 2026 World Cup. However, despite these anticipated profits, the association is not putting a single dollar toward transporting fans to the World Cup venue,” wrote the members .  “We are confident that, like us, FIFA does not want to make the tournament games available only to the wealthy. Given the revenue that FIFA will generate from these games, it is incumbent on the organization to subsidize transportation costs to allow global citizens to take in the most popular sporting event in the world.” Nearly 20 million Americans rely on the transit services of New Jersey Transit and New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The World Cup is expected to bring an additional 1.2 million visitors to the area, putting additional strain on a transit system that is already heavily trafficked. The added cost of providing safe and efficient service to transport this volume of visitors will cost New Jersey Transit $48 million. As a result, and to ensure every day commuters are not subsidizing this additional round-trip service from New York City to the stadium, tickets to MetLife are expected to cost $150 per person. With limited alternative options to get to the stadium, the members are calling on FIFA to work with local officials and subsidize the cost of these tickets to ensure that all fans can access the stadium for an affordable price. The full text of the letter is available here or below: Mr. Gianni Infantino President Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) FIFA Strasse 20, P.O. Box 8044 Zurich, Switzerland Dear Mr. Infantino: As citizens around the world eagerly await the opportunity to attend the first FIFA World Cup on U.S. soil in over 30 years, we write with concerns about the high costs associated with attending the games. In particular, the proposed transportation costs to attend a game at MetLife stadium – which will host eight tournament games, including the World Cup Final – are significantly higher than a typical ride to attend events at the venue. We write to urge FIFA to subsidize transit costs to ensure all fans can access the stadium for an affordable price. According to FIFA’s own estimates reported last month, FIFA stands to generate revenues in excess of $11 billion from the 2026 World Cup. Yet additional reporting indicates that your organization has cut $100 million from your operating budget for this summer’s World Cup. Much of the revenue comes from the profit generated by exceedingly expensive tickets, which are being sold to the highest bidder through dynamic pricing that has seen tickets for the final at MetLife stadium soar in excess of $10,000 per seat. However, despite these anticipated profits,  the association is not putting a single dollar toward transporting fans to the World Cup venue. The New York-New Jersey metropolitan area is home to. However, according to the New York New Jersey (NYNJ) World Cup Host Committee, the World Cup is expected to bring an additional 1.2 million visitors to the area, putting further strain on a transit system that is already heavily trafficked. The added cost of providing safe and efficient service to transport this volume of visitors will cost New Jersey Transit $48 million. As a result, and to ensure every day commuters are not subsidizing this additional round-trip service from New York City to the stadium, tickets to MetLife are expected to cost $150 per person. We are confident that, like us, FIFA does not want to make the tournament games available only to the wealthy. While we are eager to welcome the tournament to New York and New Jersey, the tournament’s success depends on access to our transit infrastructure, the cost of which is becoming prohibitive for too many spectators. Given the revenue that FIFA will generate from these games, it is incumbent on the organization to subsidize transportation costs to allow global citizens to take in the most popular sporting event in the world. We remain committed to ensuring that World Cup 2026 is a huge success and are eager to collaborate with FIFA to help lower costs for travelers. We urge you to work with both Governor Sherrill and New York Governor Kathy Hochul to reduce transit ticket prices as soon as possible. ### Issues : In the District Supporting Working Families Transportation and Infrastructure Economy