A few individuals, identifying themselves as Walkertos, Nichrasdeal, and KS, shared their thoughts after attending the recent FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium. They noted that getting to the semi-final match between Chelsea and Fulminence was relatively straightforward, but they voiced concerns about the area’s readiness for the World Cup, which will arrive in New York next year.
MetLife Stadium is set to host eight matches during next year’s World Cup, including the finals, and is expected to draw around 80,000 fans to East Rutherford for the final event.
The stadium regularly accommodates large events, yet there’s worry about the train system’s ability to handle a surge of fans who are likely to rely on public transport rather than driving.
“I’m a bit skeptical,” Deal admitted while standing near the stadium. “I just don’t think that many people attend these games regularly. So, when 80,000 people use mainly public transport, things might get a bit crowded.”
Soccer enthusiast Nick Varastro echoed these sentiments: “I have doubts. Sure, they can manage it, but not when it comes to reliability and efficiency.”
This year’s Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium proceeded without major incidents; however, there were some difficulties for fans trying to leave after the match, with long wait times for trains in the summer heat.
Even prominent teams like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid encountered transport delays, with team buses stuck in traffic, leading to a 20-minute arrival delay and pushing matches back by 10 minutes during last week’s semi-finals.
Two British fans, Alison and Darren, chose not to disclose their last name but expressed their dissatisfaction while waiting for a train after a match. They felt that the organization could have been better.
Having attended several matches during the tournament, the couple found MetLife to be the most challenging venue regarding entry and exit. “Atlanta was great. They did a better job organizing things,” Alison remarked. “Philadelphia is much better, Charlotte was fine. It’s just here; it wasn’t good. That’s all I can say.”
They added that their previous experiences at World Cup and Champions League matches highlighted the need for more transportation options. “We waited about 20 minutes for the train on the platform, and suddenly everyone is directed to the same spot—that’s ridiculous,” she said.
Organizers for the upcoming 2026 World Cup aim to provide a “seamless and safe experience” for attendees at MetLife Stadium. The NY/NJ FIFA World Cup 2026 Host Committee, having gained insights from this year’s Club World Cup, acknowledges the complexities involved in planning and executing such large-scale events and plans to apply these learnings to improve for the future.
“We anticipate and are preparing for most attendees to depend on public transportation, ridesharing, and shuttle services,” Host Committee CEO Alex Lasley mentioned. “In the end, we’ll be aware of what went well and where improvements are needed. Transportation communication was one key area for growth. Each match, from the semi-finals to the finals, saw improvements.”
“Every major event provides vital lessons. We view these as opportunities to refine our approach and ensure we’re ready for the World Cup.”
For its upcoming preparations, NJ Transit has been soliciting feedback through an online survey during the Club World Cup. A representative from the transit system indicated that they are still reviewing responses, stating that they are “processing and analyzing data while striving to enhance the customer experience continuously.”
As part of its plans for 2026, New Jersey Transit will implement a temporary “transitway” system to facilitate bus transport for fans between Secaucus Junction and MetLife Stadium.
