Members of the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee have long said the event is about for more than 39 days of competition next summer. It’s about growing the game, too.
That’s why the Host Committee, through its Foundation’s community-powered identity Welcome World, hosted a free youth soccer event for over 250 local youth, at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison.
The event, held in partnership with the Red Bulls of MLS, included dynamic soccer clinics led by the Red Bulls youth coaches with special appearances by Red Bulls players Gustav Berggren, Lewis Morgan, Dylan Nealis, AJ Marcucci, Cameron Harper and Dennis Gjengaar.
The youth players represented organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, Asbury Park, Paterson, and Passaic; Harrison FC; Hudson County Soccer; Ironbound SC; Kearny FC; Newark Public Schools; the New Jersey Youth Soccer Association; and the New York Red Bulls Academy.
NYNJ World Cup Host committee CEO Alex Lasry said the event is part of the committee’s ongoing efforts to engage communities throughout the region as the countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026 continues.
“As we countdown to 2026, our Welcome World efforts are focused on uniting people through soccer and creating opportunities that reach far beyond the matches themselves,” he said.
“We’re building a legacy that the next generation will remember forever. Whether they go on to become athletes, coaches, or community leaders, we want this World Cup to open doors, spark dreams, and remind them that this global stage belongs to them too.”
Joseph Stetson, the chief commercial officer for the Red Bulls, agreed.
“Together with the NYNJ Host Committee, our mission is to use soccer as a platform for impact — to engage, inspire, and create moments that show what’s possible when the world’s game meets the world’s greatest region,” he said.
“Events like this remind us that soccer doesn’t just live in stadiums, it lives in our neighborhoods, our schools, and our local parks. It brings people together across backgrounds, languages, and borders. As we look ahead to 2026, we want to build on days like today: more clinics, more access, more opportunities for every young person to play, dream, and belong in this global game.”
Today’s youth clinic serves as part of the NYNJ Host Committee’s broader partnership to use soccer as a vehicle for social impact and community development. The NYNJ Host Committee and New York Red Bulls are committed to supporting each other’s efforts to create safe places to play and implement programs that benefit underserved communities in the region.
“Our vision is to provide a World Cup experience that New Jerseyans and New Yorkers feel connected to by sharing in the opportunity and excitement that come with hosting a global event of this scale,” Brianna Keys, the director of social impact for the host committee, said.
“Much of that responsibility will be accomplished through meaningful collaboration with our partners who are already doing incredible work delivering soccer and social impact programming across the region. We’re deeply grateful to the New York Red Bulls for hosting today’s event and to the many community organizations that joined us, each making a lasting difference in the lives of young people throughout our region.”
New York New Jersey will host eight World Cup matches, including the final on July 19, 2026. The event runs from June 11 – July 19.
