Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY) criticized the F\u00e9d\u00e9ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) on Tuesday as reports emerged that the New Jersey Transit was going to charge $100 for train tickets to the 2026 World Cup venue.<\/p>\n
An $11 Billion Windfall<\/p>\n
In a post on the social media platform X, Schumer lamented the steep train ticket prices of more than $100 for return tickets from Penn Station to the MetLife Stadium. \u201cFIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer\u2019s World Cup,\u201d he said, adding that NY residents were still being forced to foot the bill.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile,\u201d he said. He also demanded that the apex soccer governing body cover \u201ctransportation costs for host cities and states\u201d in the U.S. \u201cNew York commuters and residents should not subsidize an $11 billion windfall,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Kathy Hochul Demands Accessibility<\/p>\n
Hochul, too, took to X, expressing her criticism of the steep ticket prices, demanding that the World Cup games be accessible and affordable to the fans. \u201cCharging over $100 for a short train ride sounds awfully high to me,\u201d she said, adding that such high prices won\u2019t be \u201chappening on the MTA.\u201d<\/p>\n
The 2026 FIFA World Cup<\/p>\n
The 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted across the U.S., Mexico and Canada and will comprise 48 teams competing in 104 games across 16 cities. The format is different from the previous tournaments, where 32 teams competed for the title until the 2022 World Cup.<\/p>\n
The U.S., Canada and Mexico, as host nations, automatically secured qualification for the tournament, while nations like Jordan and Uzbekistan are set to make their debuts this year. Argentina, the defending champions, have won the competition three times, beating France in 2022 to secure their third World Cup title.<\/p>\n
Prediction Markets Cash In<\/p>\n
FIFA also announced a multi-year deal with ADI Predictstreet as its first official partner<\/a> in the prediction market category. The deal would let bettors around the globe bet on the outcomes of the World Cup games.<\/p>\n The statements came as there had been uncertainty regarding its participation in the tournament, as tensions continue to escalate<\/a> with the U.S. after Trump announced a U.S.-led blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.<\/p>\n