US 2026 World Cup Official Envisions Premier League Matches in America, Takes Cues from NFL Strategy.
Phil Murphy, the Governor of New Jersey, aspires to host the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, the home ground of the New York Giants and New York Jets. Alongside this ambition, he also hopes to resurrect the idea of exporting the prestigious English Premier League matches to the US, drawing inspiration from the successful NFL games held overseas.
Back in 2008, the then Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, proposed a “39th game” to be played overseas, but it encountered fierce opposition and was eventually abandoned.
On Saturday, Manchester United secured a 2-0 victory over Arsenal in a pre-season friendly held at MetLife Stadium. The match was organized by Charlie Stillitano, the executive chairman of Relevent Sports Group, who supports the idea of a 39th game in the Premier League. Phil Murphy, the Governor of New Jersey, is optimistic about the possibility of such a game taking place.
Murphy expressed his hopes for a Premier League match being played in the US, saying, “I would love to think so. I know that the clubs have not been overly enthusiastic about it. Stillitano, a good friend of mine, has been trying to make it happen for years. Ultimately, it depends on what the European clubs want.”
He further emphasized that high-profile clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal would likely see this as an opportunity to promote their brand and showcase their best players to a vast audience of 82,000 fans in New York/New Jersey.
Murphy cited the NFL as a successful model, pointing out that real games are played in Europe with immense success. He mentioned that he is a fan of the New England Patriots, who are playing the Indianapolis Colts in Frankfurt, Germany, and noted the high demand for tickets despite the stadium having a capacity of only 55,000 seats.
The Governor suggested that if a European Super League were to come into existence, it might pave the way for such matches to happen. He recalled that two years ago, Manchester United and Arsenal, among other Premier League clubs, signed up for a proposed ESL, which ultimately collapsed due to fierce opposition.
He concluded by stating that the decision would ultimately lie with the clubs and their fans, or in the case of a different league configuration or a super league ever materializing. He affirmed that American fans would eagerly welcome a genuinely competitive match anywhere in the country, and if it were to take place in New York/New Jersey, the demand would be overwhelming.
In the pursuit of hosting the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, Murphy expressed his determination, stating, “We’re putting in all our efforts to secure the final. The decision is expected in the fall. We anticipate hosting eight or nine games during the World Cup, which is equivalent to eight or nine Super Bowls. The stadium’s capacity is 82,500, but for the World Cup, they would remove a few seats in the four corners, making it around 82,000.
Other cities like LA, Dallas, and Miami have been mentioned, but we believe our package is the winning one. While Miami might have its appeal, considering the weather in July, it could be a bit challenging. However, with Lionel Messi’s presence, things might be changing. Nevertheless, we are not taking anything for granted and will wait to see how it unfolds.”
