Fans — and teams — banned from entry into the country.
ICE agents — at the entry gates at MetLife Stadium — checking immigration papers.
Protests — peaceful or otherwise — in different parts of the state.
There are plenty of potential conflicts and issues that could come with the FIFA 2026 World Cup when it comes to the U.S. (Mexico and Canada), Gov. Phil Murphy said he’s not anticipating any of them.
Speaking Wednesday, after an event to announce the launch of the FanFest at Liberty State Park in Jersey City, the governor said his administration has been talking with federal officials for some time about safety and security and that those talks do not include crack downs.
“I’m hugely optimistic that this is going to be a blowout success and a safe World Cup,” he said.
To be fair, there certainly is cause for concern.
This week has since protests — and arrests — in Southern California, regarding efforts of ice agents. The first country to qualify, Iran, is on the restricted travel list. And Vice President J.D. Vance seemingly has warned visitors not to overstay their welcome.
Murphy downplayed much of this, specifically in regard to entry into the country.
“President (Trump) and his team have said that they will make exceptions for big sporting events, and this is the biggest of the world,” he said.
The event Thursday noted that the start of the World Cup is one year away. Murphy said time may bring change.
“I don’t want to speak for the President, but where it is today versus where it lands a year from today … (there’s) a long road to travel between now and then,” he said. “But anybody who qualifies, based on everything I know is going to be welcome, whether their games are in the United States, Canada or Mexico.”
To be clear, Murphy no longer will be in office when the World Cup begins. That being said, the event itself overlaps federal adminstrations, too.
Murphy pointed out that Trump was in office the first time, when the World Cup was awarded to North America — only to hand it off to the Biden administration.
“We got the right to host the World Cup under President Trump the first time, so they’re not new to this,” he said. “They’re excited about it. I spoke to the President on Saturday night, invited him to the Club World Cup final. I’m not sure he could come, but they’re all over this.”
Murphy said his team had the latest in a series of all-hands meetings with federal officials, including the FBI, just this week.
“Security, number one, transportation, number two, stadium and fan experience number three — those are the three big pillars in both the Biden administration before them and the Trump administration have been outstanding partners,” he said.
Murphy said the sum of the efforts gives him confidence.
“We’re obviously working very closely with the administration, with FIFA,” he said. “This is going to be done in a first class welcoming way.”
One year is a long time, Murphy said.
“Who knows what a year from now looks like in the world, but I’m supremely confident this will be a great experience.”
