England Fans Banned from Walking to 2026 World Cup Stadium

England fans will be banned from walking to MetLife Stadium during the 2026 World Cup because of a New Jersey state law that makes it unlawful for the public to walk on or beside highways. According to Daily Express - Sport, Charles Marchan, a New Jersey State Police spokesman, described pedestrian traffic as strictly prohibited on roadways surrounding the stadium for safety reasons. He added that the objective is not to issue tickets but to ensure public safety, aiming to prevent hazards for pedestrians and motorists. This measure directly impacts access for attendees heading to matches at the venue.

MetLife Stadium is set to host eight matches at the 2026 World Cup, including England's group match against Panama and the tournament final. The only access to the stadium is via car, bus, or train service from nearby New York City, with transportation costs soaring for fans. A return ticket to MetLife Stadium from New York's Penn Station will cost £110 ($150), compared to £9.50 ($12.90) for NFL matches, while bus travel will cost £60 ($80). New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill criticized FIFA's role, stating that in the FIFA World Cup agreement her administration inherited, FIFA put zero dollars towards transporting World Cup fans. She added that FIFA eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, putting the burden of transporting four times more matchday riders than typical for an event at the stadium on NJ Transit. This agreement will cost NJ Transit at least $48 million, while FIFA is positioned to make $11 billion during the World Cup.

Logistical plans for match days include disruptive measures at New York's Penn Station, where parts will be closed to all users except World Cup ticket-holders for four hours before the start of matches held in New Jersey this summer. These restrictions will affect eight matches scheduled for June and July at MetLife Stadium, including the final. Under the proposed measures, ticket-holders would have their credentials checked at specific Seventh Avenue entrances on 33rd Street and 32nd Street. Following the conclusion of matches, trains would arrive empty at Secaucus Junction to be fully dedicated to transporting spectators away from the stadium. Four of the eight scheduled matches will take place on weekdays, including a 3 p.m. kick-off on Tuesday, June 16, and a 4 p.m. start on Thursday, June 25, both overlapping with peak afternoon commuting hours, potentially exacerbating congestion.

New Jersey taxpayers have already committed more than $300 million toward stadium upgrades and transportation readiness for the World Cup. The state legislature is weighing a bill to introduce temporary tax increases and surcharges during the tournament to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars in investment, though it remains unclear whether these measures will be approved.

Parking at MetLife Stadium will be severely restricted, forcing the majority of attendees onto public transport or chartered coaches. A formal mobility plan would be unveiled in the coming weeks, according to Natalie Hamilton, a spokesperson for the New York New Jersey Host Committee, but the exact release date has not been specified.

Several unresolved issues loom as the tournament approaches. It is unknown what specific measures will be in place to enforce the pedestrian ban, and FIFA's response to Governor Sherrill's comments about covering transportation costs has not been detailed. The mobility plan's release date, approval of proposed tax increases, and New York City's role in handling Penn Station disruptions or financial contributions remain open questions, adding uncertainty to the preparations.