FIFA World Cup Coming to MetLife Stadium in 2026
The dreams of many soccer aficionados in and around the Tri-State area is about to come true. The FIFA World Cup Final is coming to New Jersey and MetLife Stadium in 2026.
The stunning news came down Sunday late afternoon, after months of speculation that Dallas’ AT&T Stadium was the favorite to land the championship bout. Instead the stadium best known for hosting the Giants and Jets during the NFL season, won the committee over. Mark your calendar’s the game will take place July 19, 2026.
The news didn’t come without plenty of snickering online. MetLife Stadium has become notorious as one of the least popular venues among both NFL players and fans. In fact this past year the stadium was voted the worst stadium to play NFL football games, according to The Athletic.
One of the main reasons for the Stadium’s unpopularity are the rash of injuries that have occurred there since its inception in 2009. In 2020 the San Francisco 49ers complained about the stadium’s field turf surface after a number of players including Jimmy Garrappolo went down with a leg injury.
Then this past season, Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles Tendon on the turf four plays into the Jets 2023 season.
Those keeping score, yes, MetLife Stadium will have to change their turf surface to grass for this event. Whether it remain grass for NFL games is another story entirely.
Online fans scolded the NFL for not putting grass in the stadium sooner. Others trolled FIFA for picking MetLife Stadium as the host for the world’s preeminent sporting event.
MetLife won’t be the only NFL stadium to host World Cup games. AT&T Stadium in Dallas and Atlanta’s Mercedez Benz Stadium will host the semifinals.
The quarterfinals will be held at Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts); Hard Rock Stadium in Miami; Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, and SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
HISTORY OF SOCCER IS GOOOOOOOOOD
As much as people want to slam the event coming to New Jersey, keep in mind the Meadowlands has a rich history of hosting big soccer events. Manchester United and Arsenal set an attendance record with over 82,000 in attendance last summer.
And if you really want to hit the way, way back machine — in 1977 more than 76,000 people jammed into the old Giants Stadium to see Pele.
Celebrate Black History Month With These Inspirational Quotes
Black History Month is a great time to celebrate African American accomplishments and the many contributions Black Americans have made to our country. It’s a good time to reflect on inspirational quotes by iconic figures. Many Black icons have said things so powerfully that they become mantras for generations. Some people feel inspired by these motivational quotes deeply. This often creates a sense of empowerment that can sometimes turn into actions for the good.
Well-known Black leaders in history like Martin Luther King Jr., Maya Angelou, Frederick Douglas, and Angela Davis have used their words to share thought-provoking ideas that still encourage us today. Many actors, writers, directors, journalists, Black influencers, and more have said things that just move you, too. This includes director Ava DuVernay, Oprah Winfrey, and the late Chadwick Boseman.
Celebrate Black History Month With Inspirational Quotes
Many of these quotes highlight how our past shapes where we’re headed. Those uplifting quotes push us to keep moving forward with a clear purpose.
Many Civil Rights leaders knew that social change was necessary. For instance, Martin Luther King Jr. encouraged his followers by saying, “If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Some influential Black people emphasized the necessity of a positive impact with their words. In 2014, Russell Simmons shared on If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you’re going to get, you become a more successful person.
— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 23, 2014" target="_blank" rel="noopener">X, “If you wake up deciding what you want to give versus what you’re going to get, you become a more successful person.”
There are even quotes from important figures who inspire us to achieve our dreams. “You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you,” said Maya Angelou.
If you’re looking for inspirational quotes to uplift, encourage, inspire, or celebrate Black History Month, then take a look at some below.
Michael Cohen is the News and Sports Director at Fox Sports Radio New Jersey and Magic 98.3 FM, as well as a radio production assistant with Fox and Magic in New Jersey. He started his career in Somerset in 2018 initially as a news fill-in at WCTC 1450 AM, and soon moved up to higher responsibilities in the ensuing years, assuming News & Sports Director title in 2021Prior to his time with Fox Sports New Jersey, Michael was play-by-play voice for New Jersey Jackals baseball, and as well as play-by-play and color for the College of Staten Island basketball (men and women), softball and baseball. Michael began his career as a news and sportswriter with the Jersey Journal of Hudson County.
