New York and New Jersey have made no secret of their plans to provide the stage for football’s greatest spectacle, the FIFA World Cup final, on Thursday, and what more fitting to lay claim to the spectacle than at Broadway?
The United States, Mexico and Canada stepped up their preparations for their joint 2026 World Cup this week, but New York already has its sights set on the main prize before the event even begins.
The 2026 final was put in jeopardy in March when the former venue for football’s biggest showdown, the LA Rams’ SoFi Stadium, was told it was too tight by FIFA regulations and that he is expected to rise to 63 feet during the tournament. , reducing the capacity to less than 70,000.
But Los Angeles’ loss could be New York’s gain.
At least that’s what New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy were aiming for heavily when they launched the region’s host city logo in Times Square on Thursday.
New York and New Jersey have made no secret of their intention to host the World Cup final
The region launched its logo for the 2026 World Cup of the United States, Mexico and Canada on Thursday
New York Mayor Eric Adams (right) and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (left) were in attendance
Mayor Adams revealed that MetLife Stadium, located across the Hudson River in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and home to New York’s two NFL teams, the Jets and Giants, would host eight of the 104 matches of the tournament. Or, as enthusiastic Governor Murphy called them “eight Super Bowls.”
But that’s apparently not enough for Lady Liberty, as Adams and Murphy have claimed the FIFA showstopper.
“The biggest stage in the world, there’s no place like New York/New Jersey, we’re going to bring the World Cup here,” Adams said, addressing fans amid the commotion of the heart of Manhattan. “I think we are going to have eight games. We have to have the final here.
“New York is the biggest city in the world, so it’s fitting that we have the biggest sporting event in the world,” he added later.
“With over 200 languages and dialects spoken here and each of the 48 countries that will qualify for the World Cup represented right here in all five boroughs, our city and region represents the diversity of world sport. New Yorkers look forward to welcoming fans from around the world to our city to experience our world-class venues, bright lights, and unique and diverse culture.
Murphy bolstered Adams’ offer, playing on New York and New Jersey’s football pedigree and saying they would sell out all tickets to their “eight Super Bowls.”
“Like the mayor just said, we think we’re going to have eight games,” Murphy began. “That’s eight Super Bowls in six weeks. Just amazing and every ticket will sell out.
“I also want to remind everyone that this region didn’t just wake up to football. The premier professional league started just across the river in Kearny, New Jersey.
New York and New Jersey unveiled their logo which primarily features Lady Liberty green
Murphy also backed the United States and Mexico’s joint bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup
“I have to admit that as a lifelong ‘beautiful game’ fan, I have football fever,” the Governor added.
“I want to thank FIFA for bringing the World Cup back to New Jersey and New York. From the start, our region has been at the heart of American football. We are ready for the biggest event in the world. big events are in our blood, they’re in our DNA and that’s what we do best.
Murphy referenced the future impact of hosting the final in her speech, while putting her weight behind the United States and Mexico’s joint bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
“It’s not just about the games, it’s about the legacy and the excitement that will be created, especially among young people, not just in 2026 but for decades to come,” he said. he declares.
“We hosted Men’s World Cup matches in 1994, we hosted them in the Women’s World Cup in 1999 – I wouldn’t mind doing the women again in 2027, it wouldn’t be a bad idea – but We are incredibly honored to partner with the US Soccer Foundation to ensure that the beautiful game penetrates into every quarter of our great region society.
The couple were speaking at the launch ceremony for the region’s logo and brand as host city, opened by New York Giants legend-turned-presenter Michael Strahan, who has also backed the push for MetLife to host the World Cup final, saying there is no better place.
The event fully sold New York as a global stage worthy of dazzling the world’s greatest players, nestled amidst the glitz and glamor of America’s most famous metropolitan area.
The logo flashed on huge billboards in Times Square as the iconic New Year’s “time ball” displayed a countdown to “2026”.
The region’s logo appeared on huge Times Square billboards on Thursday morning
The iconic New Year’s ‘time ball’ displayed a countdown to ‘2026’
On Thursday evening, area landmarks – including Vessel at Hudson Yards, One Vanderbilt, Goethals Bridge and the Oculus – will illuminate Lady Liberty in green.
“Today’s launch is the culmination of an exciting collaboration between FIFA and the 16 host cities,” said Colin Smith, FIFA COO World Cup.
“Months ago, we embarked on a creative journey together to ensure that the colors, cultures, people and places synonymous with each city were ingrained in every element of the city’s brand identities. We are all excited to be able to reveal this one-of-a-kind work of art to the world with our partner countries and cities and we look forward to seeing them applied to channels and venues set to excite and welcome fans for 26 years.
On Wednesday evening, soccer’s governing body unveiled the official logo for the competition hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles in front of stars including Brazil legend Ronaldo, Brooklyn Beckham and Carl Lloyd.
FIFA had kept it simple, as the design featured a two stacked over a six in white and the World Cup trophy superimposed over them.
Each of the 16 host cities followed up the initial launch by unveiling their individualized versions of the official brand on Thursday, embodying their culture.
FIFA unveiled this logo for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada on Wednesday
Brooklyn Beckham, son of English icon David Beckham, was among the stars on Wednesday
Ronaldo (L) was spotted on the red carpet with FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R)
New York and New Jersey played on the region’s most iconic landmark, the Statue of Liberty, which sits in New York Bay between the city and its neighboring state, changing the design’s colors to Lady Liberty green and navy blue.
New York and New Jersey also commissioned portraits of local heroes from the Newark Fire Department, youth football players from school programs, and Jersey Shore fan groups in Brooklyn.
Other host cities include 10 in the United States in addition to New York and New Jersey: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle.
The Canadian matches will be held in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver, while the Mexican matches will be held in Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey.
