Democrats Criticize FIFA Over High Transportation Costs and Ticket Prices for 2026 World Cup in New York and New Jersey

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 15:26:00 +0200

Democrats in New York and New Jersey are targeting FIFA as a new symbol of affordability issues ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The soccer governing body is being blamed for high costs passed on to local taxpayers and fans, including special train fares exceeding $100 and station closures at Penn Station for ticketholders only. New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill, who campaigned on cost-of-living concerns, has proposed a special tax on World Cup visitors and criticized FIFA for generating $11 billion in revenue while expecting local governments to cover transportation expenses estimated at $48 million for New Jersey Transit. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other Democrats have echoed these complaints, accusing FIFA of offloading costs and 'gouging' fans with expensive tickets. They also fault the Trump administration for inadequate planning and oversight. In response, Andrew Giuliani, head of the Trump World Cup task force, blamed Democratic le