With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, transportation officials in New York and New Jersey have issued a warning to commuters, advising them to work from home if possible during the tournament to avoid the anticipated severe traffic congestion.
As the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is set to host several key matches, including the final of this edition of the World Cup, regional transportation systems are expected to face unprecedented passenger volumes.
Kathryn Garcia, the Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, stated at a press conference on Thursday that if individuals are not attending the tournament events, they should opt to work from home as both New York City and New Jersey’s transportation infrastructure are expected to become heavily congested.
The transportation department has highlighted particular concern for the matches on June 22nd and June 30th, as the game times coincide with peak commuting hours, potentially worsening traffic conditions. Residents are urged to avoid traveling on these days unless it is to attend matches or related activities.
Officials estimate that around 40,000 fans will utilize public transportation to travel to the stadiums for each match.
Additionally, the NJ Transit area within the crucial transportation hub of Manhattan’s Penn Station will only permit access to passengers holding World Cup-related tickets in the 4 hours before and 3 hours after each game, with non-spectator passengers being restricted.
Garcia admitted, “Transportation to and from the games is indeed going to be very difficult.”
She also cautioned the public against using ride-hailing services as an alternative. Garcia stated that services like Uber and illegal taxis are not effective in alleviating the traffic pressure on match days. She discouraged the use of ride-hailing services and advised people to opt for public transportation instead.
As the World Cup countdown continues, the New York metropolitan area is ramping up preparations to welcome a large influx of international travelers and football fans. Transportation officials emphasize that planning ahead and avoiding unnecessary travel will be key to reducing chaos during the event.