Since FIFA named MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford as host of the final for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, behind-the-scenes work to make sure the matches go off without a hitch is beginning.
Those responsible for all that legwork are members of the host committee that will be responsible for coordinating between the local and state government here and FIFA, the World Cup’s organizing body. Each of the 16 host cities in the United States, Canada and México for the 2026 event has one. The leads of the team for this region, Lauren LaRusso and Bruce Revman, have been working on this together for years.
LaRusso previously worked for Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration, serving as general counsel in the authorities unit. She worked with 17 different authorities, including the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, NJ Transit, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Revman worked for NYC Tourism for the city. When the partnership was established to pursue the chance to host games — and potentially the final — during the 2026 tournament, they joined forces.
Murphy said that LaRusso is a “fantastic advocate” for the region and “her expertise was imperative in securing the World Cup Finals for our region.”
“Lauren and Bruce Revman are undoubtedly the best people to lead this charge, and I am confident they will ensure the FIFA World Cup is enjoyed by the over 1 million people who will visit our region in 2026,” Murphy said.
The host committee is modeled after the one used by the region when the Super Bowl came to town in 2014. It is set up as a nonprofit 501(c)6 in New Jersey and is governed by a board that worked to hire LaRusso and Revman.
That board has three members — Wesley Mathews, who is also president and CEO of ChooseNJ; Fred Dixon, who is president and CEO of NYC Tourism + Conventions; and Zakiya Smith Ellis, a former policy advisor for Murphy.
The host committee had been focused on making FIFA officials aware of the region’s offerings in advance of their Feb. 4 decision to host the final in New Jersey. Now, with that decision made, the committee will begin to marshal the boots-on-the-ground effort to coordinate between FIFA and New Jersey/New York City. That will include everything from overseeing updates and renovations to MetLife, to planning on transportation issues with NJ Transit and to the fan experience.
LaRusso said in a statement that the host committee members are “overjoyed that the world’s biggest game will be played on the world’s biggest stage.”
“With our match schedule finalized, we are now able to execute on the logistics of the event: the security, the transportation, the training facilities, the FIFA Fan Festivals,” she said. “We are also raising the funds which will make this possible; in keeping with our commitment, we are relying primarily on private sources.”
What you need to know:World Cup 2026 final is officially coming to MetLife Stadium.
And all of that work is likely to cost a lot of money. Murphy has said that the tournament could generate billions of dollars for the economy in the region, but has been less direct when it comes to how much it will cost.
Officials in Canada previously estimated that the 2026 World Cup will cost them anywhere from $240 million to $300 million. In 1994, it was estimated that the event cost the United States roughly $500 million.
The governor said both New Jersey and New York City will provide support, and that doesn’t “mean just balance sheet support but also support as in services.” He also said the “private sector will contribute a majority of the support” and the “net benefit will overwhelmingly be to the positive.”
It’s up to the host committee to raise that money, which will be a public-private partnership, with private corporate support though the state heavily involved. The committee will focus on companies based in the region.
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That funding will be used for signs on buses, at the local airports and throughout the region because the committee anticipates a tourism increase to the area for fans that don’t even have tickets just so they can be part of the experience.
That’s in addition to the money already dedicated by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to get the stadium into shape.
That agency has already received $30 million to plan designs and upgrades at the stadium and surrounding property and paid more than $16 million in taxpayer money for work at the East Rutherford site before even knowing how many or which games would be played there. That $30 million is also supposed to cover a $5 million revolving loan for the host committee.
There’s also spending from NJ Transit — about $35 million on designs for a new transit route from Secaucus to the stadium.
And that’s just the physical infrastructure. Resources beyond those of the balance sheet variety, like security, have to be provided and paid for as well. The governor said last week that New York would be helping out with that.
There is no formal legal agreement with the state’s partners across the river yet, though.
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The responsibilities for the host committee will not stop at fundraising, though. The committee will also focus on efforts to be sure fans — both from the region and those traveling here from around the world — have a good experience.
“We are committed to ensuring that all communities, across the five boroughs of New York City and throughout the Garden State, reap the incredible economic and cultural benefits of FIFA World Cup 2026,” Revman said. “We have plans to host fan zones in every corner of our region, from Queens to South Jersey.”
Fan events are already in the works for Liberty State Park and each of the five boroughs as well as a watch party for the final in Central Park since the stadium only has space for about 80,000 people, while there are more than 20 million residents in the region, not to mention tourists.
Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com
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