Last winter, FIFA announced the final of the 2026 World Cup would be played at MetLife Stadium on July 19, the last of eight matches to be held in New Jersey. But for many, the excitement of the event didn’t start until last weekend, when the draw — and the entire match schedule — were announced.
The pair of announcements certainly has coincided with increased interest from the corporate community in New Jersey.
Last week, PSEG announced it would support the NY/NJ Host Committee. Hackensack Meridian Health made a similar announcement on Monday.
This morning, the Host Committee confirmed that Bristol Myers Squibb is the latest New Jersey company to sign on as a supporter, joining a group that also includes Onyx Equities, which was the first company to pledge its support, doing so earlier this summer.
Airbnb and the New York law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP also have pledged support.
Alex Lasry, CEO of the NYNJ Host Committee, said he’s thrilled the corporate community is stepping up.
“The draw has given us tremendous momentum, and you can feel the energy building across the entire New York New Jersey region,” he said. “We’re thrilled to have such an incredible group of supporters helping us bring this moment to life, including our newest addition, Bristol Myers Squibb.
“Their commitment to this region and its communities strengthens everything we’re working to deliver as we prepare to host the biggest event in human history.”
The tournament starts June 11 in Mexico City.
On June 13, MetLife will host a match between Brazil-Morocco, the first of five opening-round matches. The following day, Philadelphia will host the first of its five opening-round matches when Côte D’Ivoire meets Ecuador.
Corporate support for the host committee is a key to the success of the event in the region as it will support various needs involving marketing, logistics, transportation, security and more.
The event certainly will have firepower in the region.
In addition to hosting the final, which is expected to draw a worldwide audience of more than 3 billion viewers, MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia certainly got favorable schedules in the opening round.
MetLife will play host to former champs and perennial powers France, Brazil, Germany and England — as well as one of the sport’s top players, Norway’s Erling Halland.
Lincoln Financial Field will host games involving Brazil, France and Croatia.
First Lady Tammy Murphy, the chair of the NYNJ Host Committee, said interest in the event is growing by the day.
“The excitement coming out of the draw is contagious,” she said. “You can feel it in every corner of our region.
“New York New Jersey is ready to seize this global moment, and the momentum we’re building together will ensure that the World Cup leaves a lasting, positive impact for our communities long after 2026.”
