NYC and New Jersey picked as hosts for 2026 FIFA World Cup

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The Big Apple and the Garden State will play hosts to one of the biggest sporting events on the globe in four years time when FIFA’s World Cup is slated to kick off in North America for the first time since 1994.

The news that New York City and New Jersey will be among 16 North American cities hosting the 2026 soccer games came late Thursday during a live-streamed announcement ceremony by FIFA officials.

The Qatar FIFA World Cup trophy is on display during the Trophy Tour by Coca-Cola kick-off today with a first-stop event in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, May 12, 2022. (Kamran Jebreili/)

Mayor Adams and Gov. Murphy, who jointly filed an application to become a host, celebrated the news during a watch party Thursday night at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

“We are excited, we are energized. Soccer has a way of bridging us all together!” said Adams, who was wearing a black-and-white tracksuit and a soccer scarf adorned with the words “New York City / New Jersey.”

International soccer players, from left, Hirving "Chucky" Lozano, Jonathan Osorio and Christian Pulisic wait along 6th Ave. for FIFA's announcement of the names of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. (Noah K. Murray/)

It was not immediately clear which city is going to host the 2026 tournament’s final, the crown jewel of the entire event and a massive cash cow for local economies. But Murphy floated a pitch to bring it to his neck of the woods.

“If there is one game we want: We want the last game — we want that World Cup trophy hoisted right here,” he said. “How can you not play the final here?”

Matches played in the region in 2026 will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey’s Meadowlands.

No games are going to be played in the five boroughs, but FIFA Fan Fest sites will be hosted across the city. The Big Apple will also reap many of the event’s rewards, including the cash generated by hotel visitors and tourists checking out the city that never sleeps.

United States players celebrate near fans after Christian Pulisic scored on a penalty kick during the first half of a FIFA World Cup qualifying soccer match between Panama and the United States, Sunday, March 27, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. The U.S. won 5-1. (Julio Cortez/)

This year’s World Cup is slated for Qatar. Team France is the reigning World Cup champions after besting Croatia in the 2018 finals.

“Those who are soccer fans, the governor is the striker. I’m the goalie. We are going to win the game for us,” Adams joked in an appearance on MSNBC with Murphy earlier Thursday before the official announcement. “We have an excellent transportation infrastructure, which is crucial. We have the hotel infrastructure, which is extremely important. We have the best law enforcement apparatus.

“This is a huge economic benefit for our region,” he added. “We’re looking forward to it.”

FILE - Soccer fans watch France play Belgium in a World Cup semifinal soccer game on a gigantic screen in New York's Times Square, on July 10, 2018, in New York. (Mary Altaffer/)

The last time the World Cup came to the U.S. in 1994, seven games were hosted in the Meadowlands at Giants Stadium.

Besides New York City and New Jersey, the following cities are going to host games in 2026: Vancouver, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guadalajara, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Monterrey, Mexico City, Toronto, Boston, Philadelphia and Miami.

FILE - Alan I. Rothenberg, chairman, president and CEO of World Cup USA 1994, holds up a card reading "Chicago Soldier Field," at a news conference in New York, March 23, 1992, where the nine sites for soccer's 1994 World Cup were announced. (Osamu Honda/)

During their appearance on MSNBC, Adams and Murphy were asked how their current struggles to rein in crime might impact the final decision for games to be played in the area.

Adams, who has made fighting crime a key priority and has criticized prosecutors and courts for not doing their part, used the question to frame what’s at stake more broadly.

“It sends the message to all those who are part of the criminal justice system that the actions they take also will impact on the economy of our region,” he said.

Fans wait along 6th Ave. for FIFA's announcement of the names of the host cities for the 2026 World Cup soccer tournament, Thursday, June 16, 2022, in New York. (Noah K. Murray/)

He also cast the win for the region as a victory for soccer worldwide and FIFA, as it continues to expand its fanbase in the U.S.

“We are excited about having many camps and many festivities where people can really enjoy and participate in this amazing event,” he said.

Murphy described the appetite for the World Cup in the region as “huge” and predicted it could bring half a million fans to the area.

“This is a home run for us,” he said. “We’re really excited.”