As anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, all eyes are turning not only to the teams and players gearing up for the tournament, but also to the infrastructure and logistics that will support one of the world’s largest sporting events. The spotlight is especially bright on MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is expected to reach its near-capacity of 82,500 fans during the tournament. With such an influx, transportation has become a hot topic—one that’s sparking both concern and innovative solutions among local officials, businesses, and fans alike.
New Jersey Transit (NJT), the state’s primary mass transit provider, is at the center of these preparations. CEO Kris Kolluri and Senior Vice President Anthony Grieco have expressed a confident outlook regarding the agency’s ability to handle the World Cup’s transportation demands. According to Kolluri, "We now have some proven methods to address potential World Cup 2026 issues thanks, in large part, to firsthand observations and experience during the Club World Cup matches." This optimism is rooted in a series of recent high-profile events, including the 2025 Club World Cup, which served as a critical testbed for new approaches to crowd movement and logistics.
During the 2025 Club World Cup, NJT successfully transported approximately 21,000 fans without any significant delays following the final match, save for a brief 15-minute hiccup due to a locomotive engine issue. The agency’s handling of the challenge demonstrated both resilience and adaptability. This experience has directly informed NJT’s evolving playbook for 2026, which now features a "metering" strategy for post-match transit. At the Club World Cup, fans of the losing team exited first, while supporters of the winning side lingered for post-game ceremonies. This staggered approach allowed for more efficient movement and minimized bottlenecks—a lesson NJT plans to implement on an even grander scale next year.
Collaboration is key, and NJT has been working closely with FIFA and the local 2026 Host Committee to fine-tune these strategies. The agency is also drawing on expertise from a wide range of consultants and traffic management experts, many of whom participated in a recent Expo at MetLife Stadium dedicated to brainstorming long-term solutions for the Sports Complex. The lessons learned from past events—especially the transportation woes of the 2014 Super Bowl—have not been forgotten. Instead, they’ve become the foundation for a more robust and flexible transportation plan.
Of course, not all challenges are within NJT’s control. Kolluri is candid about the risks posed by extreme weather—such as heat waves or violent storms—and the potential for disruptions on the Amtrak-owned Northeast Corridor lines, which NJT relies on for some of its train services. While the agency can’t dictate the weather, it is in ongoing discussions with Amtrak to develop contingency plans for any possible disruptions. "We are in regular discussions with Amtrak to determine how the two can devise efficient solutions for any contingency," Kolluri noted, underscoring the agency’s proactive approach.
But NJT isn’t going it alone. Public-private partnerships are emerging as a crucial component of the transportation puzzle. Krishna Murthy, CEO of Meadowlands Transportation Brokerage Co. (doing business as EZ Ride), and COO Avnish Gupta are already deeply involved in partnerships that serve municipalities, nonprofits, and commuters across northern New Jersey. Their latest proposal includes shuttle services connecting NJ Transit buses and trains to MetLife Stadium and the nearby American Dream Mall. This would not only benefit fans, but also local businesses and employees who need reliable access to the Sports Complex. Communities such as Newark, Hackensack, Paterson, Wayne, Clifton, Kearny, and North Arlington stand to gain from these enhanced transit connections.
Creative thinking is also in play, with one local business suggesting the use of pontoon bridges—typically employed to transport heavy military equipment across wetlands—to facilitate pedestrian movement in the Meadowlands. While unconventional, the idea reflects the "all-hands-on-deck" mentality driving preparations for the World Cup. As one commentator put it, "Approach the World Cup like a military operation." It’s this kind of outside-the-box thinking that could make a real difference when the crowds descend in 2026.
The Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, led by Chair James Kirkos, has formed an active World Cup Committee to consider such proposals and ensure that the interests of businesses, fans, and employees are represented. The committee is working closely with the World Cup Host Committee, which has hired a transportation engineering firm to develop comprehensive plans and solutions. While these initiatives will undoubtedly require significant investment, recent statements from Governor Phil Murphy suggest that the state is fully committed to making the 2026 World Cup a world-class experience. According to a July 9, 2025, story by Katie Sobko for NorthJersey.com, Murphy remains "highly optimistic" about New Jersey’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Financing is, of course, a major hurdle. NJT is actively engaged with state officials to secure the necessary funding for its ambitious transportation plans. Kolluri has emphasized that if the agency is given the autonomy to implement its strategies, "we will be just fine." Encouragingly, public perception of NJT appears to be improving. A Farleigh Dickinson University poll conducted on July 29, 2025, showed a significant uptick in NJT’s approval ratings compared to previous years—a testament to the agency’s efforts and transparency in addressing past shortcomings.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continues, the focus on transportation logistics is intensifying. Fans are being encouraged to explore alternative transit options ahead of their trips to MetLife Stadium, and officials are urging everyone to stay informed about evolving plans. With a combination of proven methods, innovative partnerships, and strong political backing, there’s a growing sense that New Jersey is on track to meet the enormous challenge ahead.
For now, the message from those at the helm is clear: enjoy the World Cup games, but plan your journey wisely. The lessons learned from recent events, the commitment of public and private stakeholders, and the enthusiasm of fans and officials alike are all converging to set the stage for what promises to be a memorable—and, hopefully, smoothly run—World Cup in 2026.
