Schumer Demands FIFA Cover World Cup Rail Costs for New Yorkers

Senate Majority Leader says fans shouldn't pay over 11 times normal fare to attend matches.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 10:58pm

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A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary subway platform at dusk, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the empty space, conceptually representing the transportation challenges facing local fans trying to attend the World Cup.As FIFA prepares to generate billions from the 2026 World Cup, a looming transportation crisis threatens to price out local fans from attending the matches.NYC Today

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on FIFA to cover the full cost of rail transportation for New York fans attending the 2026 World Cup matches. Schumer says charging fans more than 11 times the normal fare to get to a World Cup match is unacceptable, and that FIFA must step up to cover the transportation costs.

Why it matters

The 2026 World Cup is set to be hosted across North America, with several matches taking place in the New York/New Jersey area. Schumer argues that FIFA, which will generate billions in revenue from the event, should not pass on exorbitant transportation costs to local fans trying to attend the games.

The details

Schumer is calling on FIFA to immediately commit real dollars to NJ Transit to cover the full cost of rail transportation for New York and New Jersey fans attending World Cup matches. The senator claims that FIFA cares more about its international TV presence than ensuring successful local event hosting, leaving fans to shoulder the burden of inflated ticket prices.

  • The 2026 World Cup is scheduled to take place across North America.

The players

Chuck Schumer

The Senate Majority Leader, who is demanding that FIFA cover the full cost of rail transportation for New York fans attending the 2026 World Cup matches.

FIFA

The international governing body of association football, which will generate billions in revenue from hosting the 2026 World Cup across North America.

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What they’re saying

“Schumer Says Charging New York Fans More Than Eleven Times The Normal Fare To Get To A World Cup Match Is A Ripoff, FIFA Must Step Up And Cover The Ride Now”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader

“Trump cares more about being on international TV at midfield on match day than actually hosting successful games”

— Chuck Schumer, Senate Majority Leader

What’s next

Schumer is calling on FIFA to immediately commit real dollars to NJ Transit to cover the full cost of rail transportation for New York and New Jersey fans attending World Cup matches.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the tension between FIFA's global ambitions and the need to ensure local fans can affordably attend major tournament matches. Schumer's demand that FIFA cover transportation costs reflects a broader debate over who should bear the burden of hosting mega-events.