The basics:
The stage is finally set. The FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw has sorted the groups, locked in the matchups and laid out the journey that will unfold across North America this upcoming summer.
The combination of the Draw and official schedule release marks a turning point in the preparation and planning process — as things truly get real.
New Jersey will play host to eight matches at MetLife Stadium, including five group stage matches, as well as one Round of 32 and one Round of 16, and, of course, the Final at 3 p.m. July 19, 2026. Following the schedule reveal this weekend, there is more clarity on the planning on the ground here from all sides of the equation, and some major soccer powerhouses and star power will swing through region.
The following nations will square off in the Garden State:
- Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C): 6 p.m. June 13
- France vs. Senegal (Group I): 3 p.m. June 16
- Norway vs. Senegal (Group I): 8 p.m. June 22
- Ecuador vs. Germany (Group E): 4 p.m. June 25
- Panama vs. England (Group L): 5 p.m. June 27
NJBIZ previewed the excitement about these latest benchmarks in the process in a Dec. 5 story, which included commentary and insights from the outgoing and incoming governors as well as business leaders and the head of the NYNJ Host Committee, Alex Lasry.
And in the latest issue of NJBIZ, we have a story about how the business community is engaging locally to get prepared for and capitalize on next year’s tournament.
The biggest day to date
Just after the Draw and before the full schedule reveal, NJBIZ spoke to Lasry about the latest happenings.
“This is when the World Cup goes from a theoretical exercise to a reality,” Lasry told NJBIZ. “And that’s what makes today so special, finding out the teams, finding out the times. This is what this weekend is about. And it allows us to go into the next phase of our planning – start marketing the stars, start marketing the teams.
“And really starting to dial into what the execution of this looks like. This is probably the biggest day that we’ve had since we were awarded the Finals – and will probably be the biggest day until our first match. Today is a really big deal for us – and really allows us to start to now nail down what the next few months of planning are going to look like.”
‘This is going to be huge’
Lasry discussed what the planning has been like leading to this moment.
“I don’t know that any day is the same,” he explained. “Our committee is built around four pillars: security, transportation, economic impact, and fan engagement. For us, we’ve been really looking through and trying to plan, broadly, what our security plan is going to look like. More broadly, what the transportation plan is going to look like.
“We’ve already announced a number of our fan engagement sites – FIFA Fan Fest at Liberty State Park, the official Fan Village at Rock Center. We’re going to be activating across all five boroughs of New York City. So, we’ll be having a number of announcements over the next few months as well. And we’ve done an economic impact study that shows that this is going to be over $3 billion of economic impact to the region – with millions of people coming to visit.
“This is going to be huge.”
Time to refine
He stressed that the schedule and group reveal allow the committee to really dial in on planning.
“And really start to look at – OK, we have a match at three o’clock. So that means doors open at 12. What does that look like from a transportation perspective? The match is going to be 90-plus minutes,” he explained. “What does that look like on egress for everyone leaving the stadium.
“Now, we can really refine. We have got to have everything planned by April. If you’re only 50% of the way there in April, I might be looking for refuge somewhere,” Lasry joked. “But I feel really great about our team that we’ve got in. We’re already ahead of where I wanted us to be. I have no doubt that we’re going to now take the next few weeks before the holidays – and then right into 2026 – on really drilling down on our plan and making sure that everyone’s ready to go.”
104 matches. Locked in.
The #FIFAWorldCup 2026™ match schedule ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ZYofjO8z41
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 6, 2025
Bigger than Taylor
Lasry then spoke about the engagement with the business community, local leaders, chambers of commerce and more.
“There’s just a ton of excitement,” said Lasry. “And you’re seeing everyone wanting to be a part of the process and a part of what is going to be the biggest thing that New York New Jersey has ever hosted. This is going to be bigger than the Super Bowl in 2014 — this is going to be bigger than Taylor Swift’s tour. This is going to be the biggest thing that they’ve had – and that we’ve had.
This is going to be bigger than the Super Bowl in 2014. This is going to be bigger than Taylor Swift’s tour. This is going to be the biggest thing that they’ve had…
– Alex Lasry, head of the NYNJ Host Committee
“So, I think, seeing the excitement and engagement from the community has been incredible. And we’re looking forward to continuing that, especially now that we know what teams are going to be playing here.”
Bringing their A-game
The conversation closed with a question about his and the committee’s message to the Jersey residents, fans and businesses about how important of a moment the schedule reveal is and what’s to come.
“It’s here,” said Lasry. “That’s the moment. It’s here – and be ready. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s not lost on us, the responsibility that we have. When you’re talking about the World Cup, the world’s game, putting it on the world stage, there’s no bigger stage than right here in New York New Jersey.
“We know that there’s a responsibility that we have to live up to for the fans that are going to be coming here – to give them the authentic experience that we know everyone expects when they come to this region. From small businesses to big businesses to all the people here, volunteers that we’re going to have – to everyone that’s going to be around – we’ve got to make sure that we’re on our A-game.
“Because the eyes of the world are going to be upon us. And we want to use this as a real launching pad for showing the world that if you have want to have the best sports and entertainment event, you want to do it right here in New York New Jersey.”
