Hudson County Urged to Improve Transit and Bike Infrastructure Ahead of 2026 World Cup

Op-Ed calls for investments in public transportation, bike lanes, and pedestrian zones to handle influx of soccer fans.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:05pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting an urban street scene with cars, buses, pedestrians, and cyclists rendered in overlapping geometric shapes and vibrant colors, conveying the complexity of transportation in a dense, event-hosting city.An artistic interpretation of the transportation challenges Hudson County faces as it prepares to host the 2026 World Cup.Union City Today

In an editorial, Johan Andrade, the president of Hudson County Complete Streets, argues that Hudson County needs to significantly improve its transportation infrastructure before the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes to nearby MetLife Stadium. Andrade warns that without major investments in public transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian-friendly zones, the influx of 80,000 soccer fans per match day will cause crippling gridlock, pollution, and disruption for local residents who won't even have tickets to the games.

Why it matters

As a densely populated area directly adjacent to the World Cup venue, Hudson County is uniquely positioned to feel the full impact of the event. Without proactive planning, the massive crowds of visitors could overwhelm the county's already congested roads and public transit, harming the quality of life for local residents who rely on these systems for their daily commutes and errands.

The details

Andrade points to the successful model used by Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics, where the city invested heavily in expanding public transportation, building new bike lanes and bike share stations, and pedestrianizing key areas of the city center. This allowed Parisians to maintain their normal routines even as millions of visitors arrived. Andrade argues Hudson County must follow a similar playbook to avoid the gridlock, pollution, and disruption that can come with hosting a major international sporting event in a dense urban area.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held from June to July 2026.
  • Matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey are scheduled for June and July 2026.

The players

Johan Andrade

The president of Hudson County Complete Streets, an advocacy group promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Anne Hidalgo

The mayor of Paris who oversaw the city's transportation investments ahead of the 2024 Summer Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Imagine it's a Tuesday in June. You're trying to get to work. Your kid has a doctor's appointment in the afternoon. You need to pick up groceries on the way home. It's a normal day except that 80,000 soccer fans are also trying to move through your neighborhood on their way to MetLife Stadium.”

— Johan Andrade, President, Hudson County Complete Streets

“Rather than surrendering her city to a flood of cars and chaos, Mayor Anne Hidalgo made a choice. She invested in moving people on foot, on bikes, on buses.”

— Johan Andrade, President, Hudson County Complete Streets

What’s next

Hudson County officials are expected to announce a comprehensive transportation plan for the 2026 World Cup in the coming months, outlining investments in public transit, bike infrastructure, and pedestrian-friendly zones.

The takeaway

The 2026 World Cup presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Hudson County. By learning from the successful model used by Paris for the 2024 Olympics, local leaders can transform the event into a catalyst for lasting transportation improvements that benefit both visitors and residents alike.