Alex Lasry, CEO, FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee
Alex Lasry, CEO of the FIFA World Cup 26™ New York New Jersey Host Committee, spoke with Invest: about creating a long-lasting economic impact during and after hosting the World Cup. “We want to reestablish the region as the premier sports and entertainment site in the world and ensure it’s leading to more economic development,” he said.
What are the Host Committee’s primary objectives and responsibilities in preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The host committee’s main objective is to be the local partner on the ground for FIFA and ensure the region benefits economically. The first of the three pillars we work on is making sure the games are safe and secure. The second pillar is ensuring fans have efficient and timely transportation to and from the games. The third is to see that the region benefits economically. Our economic impact report estimates around $2.4 billion in economic impact in the region. We want to hit and surpass these numbers by working with our partners in New Jersey and New York so they are ready to take advantage of the opportunity the World Cup presents.
How big of an economic impact could the World Cup have in New Jersey?
We’re going to see billions of dollars in impact across New York and New Jersey. The World Cup being in New Jersey is amazing, but only 80,000 people can fit into the stadium. We are hosting the finals, which will be the biggest sporting event in the world. There are only eight games in 40 days, which means there are many days when people won’t be going to a match.
We will also need to accommodate fans on non-match days. The major benefits are going to come from the millions of people on the periphery of the games, not just what is happening at MetLife Stadium. There will be watch parties for the games all over the country. People will look for places to go and things to do. Hotels and restaurants should be advertising to people to see what they can do for the influx of visitors and show them that their business is the spot to be. There’s an opportunity for New Jersey to ensure local businesses are ready to take in the fans and give them an authentic New Jersey experience. It’s not just about making money but also setting up a legacy after the games. We want people from all around the world to see that New Jersey is an awesome place, for people and for potential new businesses.
How is the committee addressing transportation and infrastructure challenges associated with hosting such a large-scale event?
We have been coordinating with our partners at New Jersey Transit and the MTA to ensure there is coordination and planning for such a large-scale event. It’s going to be the biggest event that has ever come not just to the region, but to the United States. Millions of people will be coming to the area, some who don’t speak the language and are here for the first time. We will have a robust messaging system in place, preventing system overloads, and providing supplemental services so there are other routes to get to the official FIFA Fan Festival™ and the games. New Jersey Transit is one of the best public transportation systems in the country.
There are also millions of dollars in upgrades being brought to MetLife Stadium itself, including sound systems, seat configurations, and clubs. There will be upgrades to the back of the house, which will enhance customer service. We are also anticipating cosmetic upgrades. MetLife will be the center stage of the World Cup, and we are going to show off the stadium to the world.
What legacy does the Host Committee hope to leave in the region post-World Cup?
We want to show that New Jersey is the place for any major event, and anybody looking to put on an event like the Olympics or the World Cup should consider New Jersey. We want to highlight the region as the premier sports and entertainment site in the world and ensure it leads to more economic development. For instance, this will be the first halftime show in World Cup history and will be a marquee event. It will help bring a wider audience to the game. At Super Bowl watch parties, there are people there to watch the game and others to watch the halftime show, but everyone ends up watching both. It’s a way to expand the audience and bring new people into the game. This is a chance for New Jersey to show itself off to the world, and we want everyone to have an incredible experience and come back with more events and conventions that will lead to more sustainable economic development. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for New Jersey, and we’re going to take advantage of it.
