New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy says the New York/New Jersey region has the ‘right values’ to host the 2026 World Cup final – in an apparent shot to bid rivals Dallas.
Murphy, along with New York City Mayor Eric Adams, is spearheading an effort to bring the final to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The other main competitor for the match is considered to be AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
‘The Greater New York/New Jersey area is as diverse as any area in the United States, and there are soccer fanatics by the millions,’ Murphy exclusively told Mail Sport on Tuesday. ‘We’ve done big scale events before. We have a great relationship with Eric Adams and his team in New York City.
‘Frankly we also have the right values. We care, we are a welcoming, diverse, immigrant-friendly, right-side-of-history on values region – both New York City and New Jersey. ‘
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who has been involved in bringing the 2026 tournament to Houston and Dallas, has previously referred to ‘homes being invaded’ in regards to illegal immigration in Texas.
He also signed a bill in June that bans transgender athletes from participating on collegiate sports teams that correspond with their gender identities.
Mail Sport has reached out to Gov. Abbott’s press office for comment.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the NY/NJ region had the ‘right values’ to host the 2026 final
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (L) and NYC Mayor Eric Adams (R) are hoping to bring the 2026 World Cup Final to MetLife Stadium
The region launched its logo for the USA, Mexico and Canada’s 2026 World Cup in May
Regardless of where the final lands, both MetLife and AT&T will be hosting games during the 2026 World Cup – as Murphy previously said he expects there to be at least ‘eight Super Bowls’ in East Rutherford.
Murphy said there will be ‘fan fests all over the region,’ and expects a decision on the final ‘sooner than later.’
‘I don’t wanna speak for FIFA, but it feels like we’re getting toward a decision,’ he said Tuesday. ‘We were back and forth with them literally this week on some clarifications. So I would think it’s sooner than later. But again, I don’t wanna speak for FIFA.’
The Governor, 66, owns NWSL team Gotham FC with his wife Tammy.
‘I mean, it’s the world sport. All of us in our family have played it – in my case not terribly well… just in a personal level, it just feels like it’s a culmination of decades of passion for this sport, most importantly for the residents of New Jersey and New York City,’ he said of the forthcoming World Cup.
‘We’re bringing the world’s game to the biggest stage, and that’s right in our backyard, and that just gets us all really, really excited.’
