World Cup Disruptions Loom for 13 NFL Teams

Stadiums hosting matches will force teams to relocate operations and deal with FIFA credentialing.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 2:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the overlapping action of a World Cup soccer match and an American football game, with sharp geometric shapes and bold colors representing the tension between the two sports.The competing demands of global soccer and domestic football collide as stadiums prepare to host the 2026 World Cup.Manhattan Today

The upcoming 2026 World Cup is already causing major disruptions for 13 NFL teams whose home stadiums will be commandeered to host matches. Teams like the Jets, Giants, Cowboys, and Patriots will have to move their operations, deal with FIFA credentialing, and play on subpar temporary playing surfaces during the tournament.

Why it matters

The World Cup is a major global event, but the demands placed on host stadiums and cities are creating significant headaches for the NFL teams that normally occupy those venues. This highlights the tension between the needs of international soccer and the regular operations of professional American football teams.

The details

According to the report, 13 NFL teams will be impacted, including the Cowboys, Jets, Giants, Falcons, Chiefs, Texans, 49ers, Chargers, Rams, Eagles, Seahawks, Patriots, and Dolphins. These teams will have to move their draft parties, relocate employees, and deal with FIFA credentialing to access their own workplaces. The Giants will even have to start training camp in West Virginia since MetLife Stadium will be hosting the World Cup final on a temporary grass field that will need to be removed and replaced with a subpar artificial surface.

  • The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place from June to July.
  • The World Cup final at MetLife Stadium is set for July 19, 2026.

The players

Ben Fischer

A reporter for Sports Business Journal who reviewed the practical impacts of the World Cup on NFL teams.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The various sacrifices involuntarily made by the players and other team employees should prompt FIFA to give them all a phony, made-up award. Especially since FIFA has already done that, for far less.”

— Mike Florio, Author

The takeaway

The demands of hosting the World Cup are creating significant logistical and operational challenges for the NFL teams whose stadiums will be used as venues. This highlights the need for better coordination and compromise between international soccer and domestic professional sports leagues.