As the FIFA World Cup 2026 draws closer, buzz is growing in the region with MetLife Stadium slated to host eight matches, including the final July 19, 2026. Against that backdrop, last month the NYNJ Host Committee announced an expansion of its leadership team for the home stretch of preparations for the world’s biggest sporting event.

Alex Lasry was tapped to serve as CEO of the Host Committee, the local organizing body responsible for delivering the matches. Lasry was a longtime executive with the Milwaukee Bucks who, most recently, served as the deputy assistant secretary for travel & tourism at the United States Department of Commerce. He now leads the Host Committee on a day-to-day basis.

“With less than 500 days until the first match of the tournament, the urgency and excitement are palpable here in the NYNJ region and around the world,” said Lasry in a Feb. 11 news release, noting the work of the Host Committee before his arrival under the leadership of co-Host City Managers Lauren LaRusso, Bruce Revman – and their team. “I am so impressed by the work that has already been done to prepare for this momentous occasion – and I look forward to working with our dedicated team and our partners in public safety, hospitality, public transportation, tourism, and more to ensure the FIFA World Cup 2026 experience is remarkable for all residents of and visitors to this region.”

The Host Committee noted that LaRusso and Revman have been instrumental in coordinating the region on the planning efforts to ensure that the success of this event – and that moving forward, LaRusso, Revman, Lasry and the rest of the Host Committee’s leadership team was “keenly focused” on engaging the region’s business community, so that businesses and individuals across the region can share in the benefits from this once-in-a-lifetime event.

The leadership team expansion included naming First Lady Tammy Murphy as chair of the Host Committee’s board of directors, which also includes Fred Dixon, president and CEO, Brand USA; Joseph Kelley, partner, CHA Partners; Wesley Mathews, president and CEO, Choose New Jersey Inc.; and Zakiya Smith Ellis, principal, EducationCounsel.

“This World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for our region to define itself to the world and will be an incredible economic engine for our entire region, generating over $2 billion and attracting over one million visitors,” the first lady said.

Murphy brings extensive passion and experience to this role. The first lady founded a long-operating professional women’s soccer club (originally Jersey Sky Blue, then Sky Blue FC and now Gotham FC) that plays in the National Women’s Soccer League.

“The biggest match of the biggest sporting event in history will be played right here in New Jersey while being viewed by billions of people across the globe,” she said. “I am so grateful for the amazing team – led by Lauren LaRusso and Bruce Revman – that made it possible for our region to have this incredible opportunity and so excited to add Alex Lasry to the team as we move rapidly toward 2026.”

Kicking off the conversation

NJBIZ recently spoke to Lasry about his first month on the job, status of the preparation process, areas of focus, business engagement and more.

“It’s been like drinking from a fire hose,” Lasry quipped. “But it’s been super fun. At the end of the day, this is the world’s biggest sports and entertainment event that can happen. And it’s happening right here in New York New Jersey. So, the opportunity to work on this is exciting. I’ve tried to tell the team – and everyone – if you can’t have fun working in sports, you got to find something else to do. For everyone working on this – it’s a lot of work. It’s intense. But at end of the day, this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Lasry reiterated the point about working in sports – and that this is supposed to be fun and exciting.

“And that’s how I’m looking at it – for sure.”

Asked what he is focused on now, Lasry cited the fans.

“For us, it’s very simple,” he explained. “It’s the fan experience – and ensuring that New York New Jersey is benefitting economically from the World Cup. That’s our role. From a fan experience side, making sure people are able to get to and from the games in a safe and secure manner. And making sure that there’s also plenty to do. So, making sure our Fan Fest and Fan Zones, and all the ancillary events – that bars, restaurants and local businesses all have the ability to take advantage of the millions of people that are going to be here.”

40 days

Lasry said that the way he looks at it is that while the Final and seven other matches will be played in East Rutherford, it’s 40 days of the World Cup.

“So, what are you doing on the other 33 days? That’s where the opportunity is, I think, for the economic impact for the entire region,” said Lasry.

The conversation shifted to the business community engagement, especially after several complaints arose following Super Bowl XLVIII in 2014, when the business community felt disconnected and shut out of a lot of the action during that process and event. There have been a number of events and seminars held by the Host Committee, to date, as the World Cup planning has ratcheted up and leaders have been present at a number of notable business events in the state.

Lasry stressed that the engagement is critical.

“Because what we want to make sure is, as I said, our two main goals are fan experience and making sure that the region is benefitting economically,” said Lasry. “We’re going to see billions of dollars of impact, not just directly, but, I think, indirectly as well. We’re talking about people from all over the world who, in some instances, are making their first trip to the region. So, what are we doing to make sure that when they come here – they’re saying they want to come back?

“This isn’t just about the economic impact of these 40 days,” Lasry continued. “It’s also for the next five, 10 years – and building a tourism community that’s going to consistently come back and visit. That’s why it’s so important that – we’re trying to make sure that the events aren’t just happening in one place. But are happening all around the region.”

Again, he emphasized that there are 30 days of non-matches for the region during the World Cup tournament.

“This is where I would try to echo to everyone – hey, this is where the opportunity is,” said Lasry. “People need things to do when there’s no match happening at MetLife. And I would also mention that we’re going to have millions of people here. MetLife Stadium only holds 80,000 people – so what are those other 1.5 million people doing? They’re going to be going to local bars; going to local restaurants; going to the local park; going to the Fan Fest that we put on.

“So, making sure that local businesses have the tools and are ready for what this is going to be,” said Lasry. “This is going to be in scope and size unlike anything the region has seen. And it’s our job to make sure that everyone’s ready.”

Advice for local businesses

“To that point, what would be any advice or resources for these small, local businesses? How can you engage and get involved? Would they go to the Host Committee? Should they go to the local business organizations or other stakeholders?” NJBIZ asked.

Lasry noted a number of ways for small, local businesses to get engaged, including connecting with a local Chamber or business community group – and reaching out to the Host Committee directly.

“One of the things that we’re trying to make sure is that we’re very accessible to everyone who wants to participate and benefit,” said Lasry. “But at the end of the day, there’s going to be a lot of things that the Host Committee is not necessarily putting on. There’s going to be a lot of organic and ancillary events – that what we want to do, is just make sure that everyone’s prepared and knows how to take full advantage of it.

“We’ll be creating toolkits and partnering with local Chambers and local communities, where if they ever want us to come in and talk and chat – we’ll be there,” he continued. “The stronger these businesses are going to be and the more ready they are – the better the fan experience is going to be. And that’s going to lead to more people coming here after the World Cup. We’re looking forward to working with everyone and making sure that this region is prepared and benefitting to the utmost of its ability.”

Lasry said the work of the next year or so will be about spreading the word about available opportunities.

The stronger these businesses are going to be and the more ready they are – the better the fan experience is going to be. And that’s going to lead to more people coming here after the World Cup.
– Alex Lasry, NYNJ Host Committee CEO

“A lot of what we’re going to be doing is making sure that we’re getting the message out and working with the community – the big and small business community – to ensure that everyone’s prepared,” Lasry stressed. “The size and scale of this is just going to be bigger than we’ve had. This is going to be people from all over the world coming to New York New Jersey looking to participate and celebrate – and be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“We’ve really got to look at those 40 days of the World Cup as a real opportunity, not just to make money during those 40 days but really looking at it beyond – for the years after.”

A dry run

In 2025, FIFA is coming to the U.S. with its Club World Cup – a tournament in June and July featuring top club teams globally – offering MetLife Stadium and the region a bit of a dry run for next year. MetLife Stadium will host nine matches, including the semifinals and final. It was also announced recently that the Premier League Summer Series would return to New Jersey for two matches July 26.

Lasry said this summer’s events will serve as a preview for the main event in 2026.

“I think this is going to be an important time for us to – one, use the Club World Cup as a way to really show the excitement that soccer brings to the region. We’ve got the Club World Cup. We’ve got the Premier League Summer Series coming to MetLife. There’s a lot that we can do to show off soccer – and the excitement of soccer in this region. And the growth of soccer in this region,” Lasry explained.

“And then also use it as means to get us prepared for the World Cup. So, making sure that we’re kind of doing test runs on transportation, on security. Obviously, this isn’t going to be the same size and scale of the World Cup, but this gives us a nice little test run a year out to see where things are going great, where our communication needs to be better. Or to be like – hey, you know what, these are just some things that we need to tinker around the edges on. But we feel like we are in good shape.”

Lasry spoke about the dialogue and engagement with transportation and security agencies.

“I feel really good about where we’re going to be – and about our ability to make sure that people are getting to and from the stadium in a safe and secure way.”

As the conversation wound down, Lasry spoke about this next phase of the Host Committee and the work that preceded his tenure at the helm.

“I would say – we wouldn’t be here without the incredible leadership of Bruce and Lauren. And I think, now, we’re just in the next phase, where we’re expanding the organization,” said Lasry. “We’re getting now into execution – very much, also, into a sales role. Having the first lady as the chair of the board and how involved she’s been in bringing the games here. And then me being able to come on – bringing my experience from sports and government – I think, is just phase two of being able to turn this from the bid planning process now into the execution and sales process.”

He said he feels great about the team that is in place.

“We’re continuing to add to it as we’re continuing to grow,” said Lasry. “This is the group that I know that I want by my side as we look to put on the best World Cup that’s ever been played.”