Murphy on the Club World Cup: New Jersey in football fever with Trump!

Murphy on the Club World Cup: New Jersey in football fever with Trump!

Anticipation is building for the FIFA Club World Cup in Miami, especially for fans from New Jersey, where the final will take place at MetLife Stadium. Governor Phil Murphy spoke about the event in an interview and made his enthusiasm for the tournament clear. The Club World Cup starts on Saturday and a total of five preliminary round games, a quarter-final, both semi-finals and of course the final will be played in New Jersey. Murphy, who developed a passion for soccer during his time as U.S. ambassador to Germany, highlights the differences between soccer culture in Europe and the U.S., particularly the longer tradition in Germany. [OVB online].

The importance of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also be held in New Jersey, cannot be overstated. Murphy predicts the tournament could attract up to 3 billion viewers. To date, New Jersey has already invested a whopping $67.5 million in preparation over the past three fiscal years. USA Today highlights that an additional $32 million was spent on the event by the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA). In addition, contracts worth a further $32.4 million are in the works. In total, the expenditure for the big event amounts to around 207 million US dollars.

Financial aspects and infrastructure

To increase the infrastructure, some significant measures have already been implemented. For example, MetLife Stadium will receive an additional $4 million to make it fit for the FIFA Club World Cup. In addition, almost $16 million went into adjustments to the playing field. A new pedestrian crossing, with a total cost of $33.5 million, is also expected to add to the fan experience, although no construction has yet begun.

The creation of special transport services between the venues and the everyday improvement of traffic are already under way. The state of New Jersey spent $35 million on planning for this. Estimates of the World Cup's economic impact are between $2 billion and $4 billion, which could also create numerous new jobs.

Criticism and support

However, there are legitimate concerns. Critics fear that the Club World Cup is a purely commercial tournament. Murphy, on the other hand, sees a lot of sporting value in this and emphasizes the importance of the participation of the best players. The role of Donald Trump, who wants to support the Club World Cup, was also discussed. Murphy recognizes that Trump may want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by these major tournaments, but is optimistic that such events can unite the country. The big tournament will not only focus on football, but could also strengthen social cohesion.

In conclusion, in the coming years, on a scale as large as this, the focus will not only be on sport, but also on cities and their residents. The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a significant opportunity to showcase the hospitality and diversity of the United States, Canada and Mexico. Preparations for this are progressing at full speed and the eyes of the football world are on New Jersey.