World Cup is here, NJ. Here's what we'll be watching | Opinion
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived in New Jersey.
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Morocco faces Senegal at 6 p.m. Saturday night in the first of eight soccer matches — including the tournament's final — to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.
The Garden State has been preparing for the tournament for years. Our NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY Network newsrooms have covered every aspect of those preparations — from renovations at MetLife Stadium, to concerns about transportation, ticket prices and the matches themselves. We've reported on what the preparations have cost New Jersey taxpayers. And we've written about fans' hopes and expectations for the world's greatest sporting spectacle.
Our journalists have spoken with public officials at every level of government in New Jersey, with host committee organizers, soccer fans, coaches and players.
What we've said about the World Cup in recent editorials
We've shared our opinions on World Cup preparations, too:
We cheered Gov. Mikie Sherrill's efforts to secure discounted and free tickets for some New Jersey residents.
We warned fans not to walk to MetLife Stadium during the tournament.
We advocated for New Jersey commuters who travel to and from New York Penn Station, a critical transportation hub for the World Cup tournament.
We've called on public officials and law enforcement to ensure security at World Cup matches and related events.
What should NJ watch for during the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
As the World Cup kicks off, I asked members of our NorthJersey team who have been covering the run-up to the tournament what they would tell our readers to keep their eyes on as the matches unfold this month and into July.
I heard from Katie Sobko, our statehouse correspondent; Colleen Wilson, who covers transportation in New Jersey; Dave Rivera, our regional sports editor; and Jane Havsy, a veteran sports reporter.
All of my colleagues shared insights and perspective.
Here's what they had to say:
Will New Jersey really see an economic boost?
While New Jersey has been planning and preparing for the world to arrive at its doorstep for years, it remains to be seen how the state will handle the influx of fans and their impact on the state.
It could translate to considerable tourist dollars being injected into local economies, especially with the Welcome World Rewards program underway. There’s also likely to be even more congestion on Bergen County roadways and taxed public transit services.
The bulk of the planning took place during the Murphy administration, but Gov. Mikie Sherrill has done what she could to make it her own during her first six months in office.
She canceled the logistically challenged fan festival planned for Liberty State Park in favor of smaller events throughout the state. She has made efforts to ensure that transportation costs don’t fall on the state’s taxpayers and she’s worked to secure at least some free tickets for New Jersey residents.
But will that be enough? Garden State residents aren’t known for their mild manners and if the tournament becomes an inconvenience, Sherrill is sure to hear about it.
What World Cup matches will NorthJersey.com plan to cover?
Fans heading to MetLife Stadium for the 2026 World Cup can expect a global spectacle unlike anything this region has ever hosted — featuring many of the sport’s biggest stars.
Top national teams will take the field in East Rutherford: Brazil brings electric attackers like Vinícius Júnior, while France features Kylian Mbappé. England is led by Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, and both Germany and Senegal arrive with deep, talented rosters.
The MetLife group stage schedule features: Brazil vs. Morocco (June 13, 6 p.m.), France vs. Senegal (June 16, 3 p.m.), Norway vs. Senegal (June 22, 8 p.m.), Ecuador vs. Germany (June 25, 4 p.m.) and Panama vs. England (June 27, 5 p.m.).
Then comes the dream scenario: MetLife will host the World Cup Final on July 19, giving fans reason to imagine global icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi sharing the sport’s biggest stage.
We’ll be there for it all — with live updates, breaking news, analysis, predictions, and photos and videos from start to finish.
Will NJ Transit be able to handle the World Cup?
NJ Transit will likely end up being the most scrutinized entity compared to any other city, state or organization tied to the World Cup tournament.
The public transportation agency is charged with shuttling 40,000 fans per match, while also moving its daily load of nearly 1 million people on bus, rail and light rail.
After years of planning, we'll be watching the performance of the complicated network of transportation arteries connecting people to MetLife Stadium and the fan events around the region.
Could the World Cup usher some unity into NJ and NY?
The world is coming to New Jersey, bringing different languages and customs.
Will the Meadowlands become a rainbow coalition or the Tower of Babel?
With parking limited, so are the tailgate parties common outside American sporting events. That means all those people will have to come together en route to and inside the renamed MetLife Stadium.
Hopefully, even in the divided United States, World Cup soccer still holds the power to bring people together – even as they cheer for opposing sides.
What are your questions about the World Cup's impact on NJ?
What questions do you, our readers, still have? We'd welcome your inquiries — I can be reached via email at [email protected]. We'd also welcome your letters and commentaries about the tournament and its impact on New Jersey. Those can be sent to [email protected].
Ed Forbes is senior director for opinion and engagement for the USA TODAY Network Northeast, working with publications including lohud.com and The Journal News, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle,DelawareOnline.com and The News Journal and NorthJersey.com and The Record.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives in NJ. What to watch for | Opinion