NYC Scrambles to Expand Public Bathrooms Ahead of World Cup

City Council proposes plan to install temporary restrooms and increase maintenance before global soccer tournament.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 6:22pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An abstract, impressionistic scene of blurred figures waiting in line, conveying the challenge of finding public restrooms in a crowded city.As New York prepares to host the 2026 World Cup, the city scrambles to expand its limited public restroom infrastructure to accommodate the influx of global soccer fans.NYC Today

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just months away, New York City is working to address a lack of public bathrooms that could pose challenges for the influx of over 1 million expected visitors. City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu has introduced a bill requiring the city to develop a plan by June 1 to expand bathroom access, including installing temporary restrooms in high-traffic areas, posting directional signage, and increasing maintenance frequency.

Why it matters

Finding a free public restroom is already difficult in New York City, which has about 1,000 public bathrooms for a population of 8.5 million. The World Cup will bring an unprecedented number of tourists, raising concerns about sanitation, public health, and the ability of visitors to fully enjoy their experience in the city.

The details

Abreu's bill would require the city to have a comprehensive bathroom plan in place by June 1, ahead of the World Cup's June 11 kickoff. The plan would include installing temporary restrooms in high-traffic areas, posting clear signage to direct people to available facilities, and increasing the frequency of bathroom maintenance. The city has already set a goal to build 2,100 new public bathrooms by 2035, but advocates say more immediate action is needed to prepare for the World Cup influx.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19.
  • The first World Cup game hosted by the New York/New Jersey region is scheduled for June 13.
  • MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands will host a total of 8 World Cup matches, including the final on July 19.
  • The New York New Jersey Host Committee projects around 1.2 million visitors to the region for the World Cup.

The players

Shaun Abreu

City Council Majority Leader who introduced the bill to address the lack of public bathrooms ahead of the World Cup.

Zohran Mamdani

Mayor of New York City, who has made the issue of public bathroom access a priority since taking office.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This is about dignity, cleanliness and public health as much as convenience. No one should have to scramble for a bathroom or cut their day short because they can't find one in a global city like New York.”

— Shaun Abreu, City Council Majority Leader

What’s next

The City Council must approve Abreu's bill, and the city will then have until June 1 to develop and implement the comprehensive public bathroom plan ahead of the World Cup.

The takeaway

New York City's lack of public restrooms has long been an issue, and the influx of World Cup visitors will put that deficiency in the spotlight. This legislation represents an important step toward improving sanitation, public health, and the overall experience for both tourists and residents during the global soccer tournament.