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The basics:

• MetLife Stadium will host eight World Cup matches, including the Final
• NYNJ Host Committee expands partnerships and business engagement
• Recent NJPAC Business Partners Roundtable event discusses all things World Cup
• Leaders project more than $3.3B in regional economic impact

It is now 2026 – and that means we are rapidly approaching the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with New Jersey taking a leading role in the historic event. MetLife Stadium plays host to eight matches, including the Final July 19.

A vast effort is playing out across the state’s business community, as leaders and stakeholders work to capitalize on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to host the world’s largest sporting event right here in the Garden State.

And major milestones continue to be checked off, such as the release last month of the match schedule, which includes notable contests at MetLife:

• Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C): 6 p.m. June 13
• France vs. Senegal (Group I): 3 p.m. June 16
• Norway vs. Senegal (Group I): 8 p.m. June 22
• Ecuador vs. Germany (Group E): 4 p.m. June 25
• Panama vs. England (Group L): 5 p.m. June 27

The two elimination matches at the stadium will include the Round of 32 (June 30) and Round of 16 (July 5), culminating with the Final.

“Today’s announcement makes it official: the world is absolutely coming to New York New Jersey in SIZE,” said Tammy Murphy, New Jersey’s first lady and chair of the NYNJ Host Committee, after the schedule release. “Welcoming these extraordinary teams and hosting the Final Match is both an honor and an opportunity for our entire region. We cannot wait to take our planning to the next phase so we can showcase our communities, culture, and unmatched spirit to millions from around the globe.”

“The New York New Jersey region is ready to welcome these premier national teams and fans from around the world for the biggest World Cup ever,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee. “The tournament has gone from something abstract to something real. The road to the Final in NYNJ starts now.”

Teaming up

More partnerships continue to be announced, such as Hackensack Meridian Health and the NYNJ Host Committee unveiling a collaboration establishing HMH as an Official New York New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host City Supporter.

“The FIFA World Cup 2026 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity, not just to host a world-class event, but to invest in the health and well-being of the communities we serve every day,” said Robert Garrett, CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. “This partnership is about so much more than soccer. It’s about building a healthier future. From providing elite medical readiness for the event, and experience-based advice on combating human trafficking, to creating new spaces for our children to play and learn healthy habits, we are proud to help our region shine on the world stage and leave a meaningful impact that will last for years to come.”

“To deliver a world-class FIFA World Cup 2026, we are working with organizations with deep community roots and unparalleled expertise,” said Lasry. “Hackensack Meridian Health meets that standard in every way. Their commitment to public health and their proven ability to manage complex medical operations make them indispensable to our mission of delivering a safe, memorable, and impactful tournament for all.”

On Dec. 16, Onyx Equities, also a Host City Supporter – and the first organization to officially partner with the Host Committee – held World Cup Day at Gateway Newark. The event featured the opening ceremonies for all New Jersey-based FIFA World Cup 2026 corporate and community activation programs.

That included a parade with representatives from the NYNJ Host Committee; Onyx Equities and partners; Hackensack Meridian Health; Russo Development; Goya, Meadowlands Chamber and Flag Cities; City of Newark; Essex County; and New Jersey Transit. It also included panel discussions on topics, such as business activation, the game/tournament content and tourism.

Businesses ready to ‘score big’

Also last month, a number of key business leaders and stakeholders gathered Dec. 9 at New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark to discuss all things World Cup as part of the NJPAC Business Partners Roundtable series. The panel was called Scoring Big: NJ’s Playbook for World Cup 2026.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka described the World Cup as one of the largest and most impactful events in the city, region and state in a long time.

“The largest sporting event in the world coming to this region – coming to the State of New Jersey, this area, is incredible for all of us,” said Baraka. “Trying to figure out how to capture that economically for the people of this community, for the people of this state, for this region, is what we should be doing. Trying to feed our businesses. Help our economy grow. Put money in people’s pockets, especially at a time when costs are going up.

“This is an indispensable opportunity for us to do the right thing collectively.”

Patrick Daily, vice president, Member Services, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, spoke about the unique opportunity.

“FIFA can say New York New Jersey all they want. The games will be played in New Jersey,” said Daily. “The World Cup Final is the biggest stage in all of sports – and that stage will be set in New Jersey. So, the economic impact, as the mayor hinted at earlier, will not just be felt in 2026. But literally, it can be felt for decades to come.

“And we want small- and medium-sized businesses, in particular, to benefit from that, to take advantage of that. And that’s why we have this panel here today.”

$3.3B potential economic impact

In a video message to that event, Murphy discussed the potential economic impact and projections for the tournament.

“The projected economic impact on our region exceeds $3.3 billion. Well over 1 million visitors will be dining in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, shopping in our stores, and experiencing the very best of our region,” she said. “And the ripple effects will touch hospitality, retail, transportation, technology, culture – truly, every sector of our economy.

“The goal of the Host Committee is simple: to ensure this incredible opportunity delivers real, lasting benefits for our communities. That includes small business engagement, workforce opportunities and legacy initiatives that will continue long after the tournament ends.”

Murphy thanked the organizers and sponsors of the event, as well as the members of the Host Committee, the partners and agencies all working together — offering a special shoutout to the business community. “Your leadership and creativity will help define how New Jersey shines on the global stage,” she said. “We have an extraordinary moment ahead – and I am grateful to have all of you playing a central role.”

13 Super Bowls in one

Lasry said, “I could not be more excited for the World Cup to be right here in New Jersey. And, most importantly, for the World Cup Final to be right here in New Jersey. The World Cup, as the first lady said, is going to be the biggest event in human history. If you just put this into perspective, the last World Cup Final was viewed by the same amount of people as the last 13 Super Bowls combined.

“So, if the Super Bowl and football is America’s sport, fútbol is the world sport.”

Lasry referenced the match schedule release, which had taken place just days before this event in Newark.

“What we just had this past weekend was probably the biggest moment that we’ve had,” said Lasry. “It was draw weekend. We learned who’s actually playing in our region. We learned the match times. So, that was probably the biggest weekend that we’ve had since we were awarded the Finals. And will probably be the biggest pivot point that we’ve had until our first match June 13.

“What we learned this past weekend was that if you’re looking to put the biggest stars on the biggest stage, you’re putting them right here in New Jersey and MetLife Stadium. We probably got the best draw of any group in the country.”

[I]f you’re looking to put the biggest stars on the biggest stage, you’re putting them right here in New Jersey and MetLife Stadium.
– Alex Lasry, CEO, NYNJ Host Committee

He spoke about the MetLife matchups and the teams, including Morocco, Brazil, France, Senegal, Norway, Ecuador, Germany, Panama and England. Brazil, France, Germany and England are all former World Cup champions.

“When you think about the star power, the brands, and the clubs that are going to be playing in this region, it doesn’t get bigger than those teams,” said Lasry. “And the fact that we’ve got them playing here, I think, speaks to what FIFA wants to put on – and the importance of this region when you’re putting on the biggest sporting event.

Millions of visitors incoming

“When I look at our job at the Host Committee, I look at us as under four pillars,” he explained. “Our job is basically to handle everything outside the stadium. So, we handle security, transportation, fan engagement and economic impact.

“As Tammy said, we’re going to be welcoming over the course of 40 days, millions of people to this region. The United States, as a whole, is expecting over 6 million people to visit over the course of 40 days for the World Cup. The United States, as a whole, is expecting $30 billion of economic impact, over $3 billion of that coming to this region alone.”

Lasry said that is the opportunity that this region has for this World Cup.

“And it is one that really comes once-in-a-generation,” he said. “We haven’t had a World Cup in 30 years.”

Lasry said that because the draw and match schedule is now established, the Host Committee can go from abstract, 30,000-foot planning into true operational planning on the ground level.

“We now know our match times and the teams, which allows us to focus on the nuts and bolts of the transportation plan, the nuts and bolts of the security plans,” Lasry explained. “And allows us to fully get a sense of what the schedule for FIFA Fan Fest is going to be at Liberty State Park.”

More than the matches

He also stressed that while the eight match days are going to generate excitement – and the Final is going to be a massive event – there needs to be activities, activations and things to do throughout the duration of the tournament.

“We’ve got 40 days of the World Cup going on. We are the only Host Committee that is open from grand opening to grand closing, because we have the Finals,” said Lasry. “So, we are the only Host Committee that is open for every day of the World Cup. We need people to do things on the other days.

“And that is the opportunity that is here.”

He explained that most of the visitors to the region will not step foot in MetLife Stadium.

“And they don’t want to,” said Lasry. “They’re coming here to participate in the World Cup – to be part of the action, to celebrate – and be part of the atmosphere. And that’s what we have at FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park. Our FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park is expected to have anywhere between 30,000 to 50,000 people a day.

“It is going to be an incredible celebration and massive watch party right here in New Jersey. So, when we’re looking at kind of the two biggest events that are happening as a part of the World Cup, those two big events are happening right here in New Jersey.”

Party planners

Lasry stressed that the goal of the Host Committee is to make sure that businesses across the state and region can benefit from this historic event. He pointed to its community toolkit and initiatives on that front.

“We want to empower local communities to put on their own watch parties. We don’t want to make this a top-down thing where we’re dictating everything,” said Lasry. “We want you guys to put on your watch parties. We want your communities, your visitors bureaus, your cities to be able to activate and put on what you guys need. And let us be a resource to help promote and get out the word, so that people who are coming here know exactly what to do.

As he closed his remarks, Lasry drove home the point of how unique a chance this presents to promote New Jersey to folks who have never been here before — whether it is a head of state or business leader who may want to invest here to an average family who may decide to vacation here in the future.

“There is no better advertisement for New Jersey than this World Cup. And so, we want to make sure that we work with you to put on an incredible show,” said Lasry. “We want to make sure that we’re working with you to make sure that New Jersey puts its best foot forward. Because there is a major responsibility when you’re hosting the World Cup Final.

“But, in particular, when you’re hosting that in a region like this, people are expecting greatness when they’re coming to this region — because that’s what they think of when they think of the United States,” he continued. “We have the World Cup Final because this region is the capital of the world. And we need to make sure that we live up to that responsibility and that hype.”