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Phil Murphy talks 2026 FIFA World Cup at NJ budget address
During his 2026 New Jersey budget address, Gov. Phil Murphy discussed the upcoming FIFA World Cup plans.
The New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority approved nearly $800,000 in spending for structural work on and near the parking garage at the American Dream mall on Oct. 23 as the Meadowlands complex continues to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The bulk of that spending — $590,000 — will be used for structural reinforcements and related improvements at parking deck A in the mall and entertainment complex. The resolution states that Lancaster, Pennsylvania-based StructureCare is the “only firm capable of providing the required services.”
John Duffy, senior vice president of sports complex operations and facilities for the NJSEA, explained to the board that this work is the next phase of completing the additional pedestrian bridge.
“Due to the adjustment in use of the parking deck to accommodate the new bridge, structural reinforcement is necessary,” he said. “The deck strength is specific in the walking areas. We have to increase it from 50 to 100 pounds per square foot to meet code.”
Duffy said that with the second bridge, there is an increase in capacity as well as the time the structure has to hold it.
He explained that when people walk, they cause “harmonic disturbance or harmonic stress,” and that can be cause for concern with “fan behavior and things of that nature, particularly in international soccer.”
The second resolution awards an additional $189,454 to Joseph M. Sanzari Inc. for bridge repairs to the south connector, the north connector and the pedestrian bridge at the complex.
Sanzari was hired in May 2025 to repair and adjust the three bridges that cross Route 120 for $538,422.
What has NJSEA spent on the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The agency previously approved a contract worth $33.5 million for the new pedestrian bridge near MetLife Stadium.
That second pedestrian bridge will be immediately to the north of the existing pedestrian bridge, between Meadowlands Parking Lot C and American Dream Parking Garage A, crossing Route 120 at the MetLife complex.
The resolution came after officials determined that the existing pedestrian bridge is not sufficient for the anticipated increase in pedestrian traffic during the tournament and that there is an “urgent and critical need to construct a second pedestrian bridge to alleviate pedestrian traffic congestion and provide more favorable pedestrian flow on the Sports Complex site in advance of 2026 FIFA World Cup.”
The authority had already allocated $10 million in American Rescue Plan funds for planning and work on the bridge. That is in addition to the $25 million grant the NJSEA is using through the state’s Transportation Department for the project.
The state has been putting taxpayer dollars toward the preparations for the last few years.
Trenton lawmakers have dispatched a total of $77.5 million to a New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority fund for “International Events, Improvements & Attractions” over the last four state budgets.
The tournament — which kicks off June 10, 2026, and wraps with a final match at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026 — is the first to take place in three different countries. East Rutherford will host five group stage matches, two knockout round matches and the tournament final.
The official draw — when all 48 teams find out where they will be playing their group stage matches — will be held Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. That is when teams will be assigned to specific match schedule fixtures, including venues and kickoff times.
The bid for the matches to be played in East Rutherford was part of a partnership between the state of New Jersey and New York City. The host city obligations are the responsibility of both New Jersey and New York City, and officials have previously said costs would be split with New York City.
There is still no formal agreement in place with New York City.
It was unclear whether the immigration and border security initiatives of the Trump administration would affect the crowds trying to attend the tournaments both this year and next year, but President Donald Trump did attend the Club World Cup final at MetLife this summer and intends to be at the World Cup draw in December in Washington.
Trump has hosted FIFA President Gianni Infantino at his Mar-a-Lago Club and the White House. Infantino also attended Trump’s second inauguration.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
