The 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, scheduled for Sunday evening at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, has been plagued by chaos as supporters and accredited media faced hours-long delays to enter the venue. The stadium, located roughly 12 miles from Manhattan, has drawn criticism throughout the tournament for its unsuitability to host the final, and FIFA's decision to award the match there now appears even more questionable given the severe access issues.
Massive Queues and Ticketing Glitches
Even five hours before kick-off, security personnel reported glitches in FIFA's ticketing system, complicating entry procedures. Organizers urged fans, workers, and media to arrive as early as possible, but this only exacerbated the problem, leading to long queues that took hours to clear. Those who did not arrive early also faced significant delays at Penn Station before even traveling to the stadium.
The presence of U.S. President Donald Trump further worsened the situation. Despite an increased security presence due to his attendance, there was a lack of effective organization, with many attendees receiving incorrect instructions on where to enter. Accredited media faced additional frustrations, as extra Secret Service security checks on their equipment caused delays of several hours.
Weather and Stadium Concerns
Leading up to the final, weather posed additional concerns. New York experienced heavy thunderstorms on the eve of the match, forcing Spain to cancel their pre-match training session and causing flash flooding in the region. Since the stadium has no roof, the final itself faced potential delays due to lightning protocols, though the weather cleared on Sunday. Air quality also became a worry, as a thick smog from Canadian wildfires enveloped New York and New Jersey.
Beyond access issues, fans voiced frustration over MetLife Stadium's selection for the final. The area around the stadium offers little in terms of amenities, with the American Dream Mall a 20-minute walk away. Prices for food and drinks inside the stadium are exorbitant, and ticket prices have soared.
Pitch Quality Criticized
The stadium's pitch has also drawn criticism throughout the tournament. Brazil star Vinicius Jr was among those to criticize the playing surface last month. "That makes things difficult because we want to play. We want to move the ball from one side to the other and this disrupts our game. But we have to adapt because I believe it will be like this all tournament," he said, according to reports.
