World Cup fever is already sweeping New Jersey a full year before the global spotlight officially lands on the Garden State. But the excitement starts now. This weekend kicks off the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the biggest club football event the U.S. has ever hosted. Thirty-two teams from all six FIFA confederations are competing.
Matches begin Sunday at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands, with Brazil’s Palmeiras facing off against FC Porto of Portugal. Games are also being held in New York and Philadelphia as part of the 63-match tournament, which runs through mid-July. Local bars and restaurants are planning watch parties to welcome international fans and hometown supporters alike.
Adding to the momentum, Gov. Phil Murphy and the FIFA 2026 World Cup Host Committee officially named Liberty State Park in Jersey City as the site of next year’s Fan Fest. The venue will host 39 days of live match broadcasts, concerts, food vendors and interactive experiences geared towards fans of all ages.
