Work for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway. First reported by NorthJersey.com, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority recently approved a contract worth roughly $16 million to expand MetLife Stadium to meet FIFA’s requirements for hosting the soccer games. Construction is set to begin in December and run through May 2025.
The 2026 World Cup will be the first FIFA men’s tournament to host games in multiple countries — the U.S., Canada and Mexico. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford is one of 16 venues selected, but FIFA hasn’t announced which games will be held there or which venue will host the coveted final. There’s no official estimate on the cost to the region. The U.S. spent roughly $500 million when it last hosted the World Cup in 1994.
