MetLife Stadium hosts its first FIFA Club World Cup match
Passionate spectators came from near and far on Sunday as MetLife Stadium hosted SE Palmeiras and FC Porto from Group A.
We are less than a year away from the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States – but before that, there is the FIFA Club World Cup, which began Saturday.
The FIFA Club World Cup is being referred to as an inaugural event, mainly because it’s the first time 32 teams, not seven, from six FIFA confederations are squaring off in 11 host cities.
Passionate spectators came from near and far on Sunday as MetLife Stadium hosted SE Palmeiras and FC Porto from Group A.
Diego Peron came all the way from Brazil to see his team in action. He took the train in from New York.
“It was crazy," said Peron. "Everyone was like screaming…It was the best day in my life for sure."
MetLife Stadium will be host to other games on June 17, June 19, June 21 and the final on July 13.
For these days, NJ Transit has a plan in place. From Secaucus Junction, visitors can transfer to the BetMGM Meadlowlands Rail Line. A "load and go" format will exist after the match. Bus service will also help bring crowds back to Secaucus Junction, which will be free when someone shows a train ticket.
Mahwah's Marilia Riva Andrade took NJ Transit to get in and says it was a pleasant experience.
"It was pretty good. They had people with signs," she said. “I don’t know if they were ready for the rowdiness and the chants happening every two seconds, but they were pretty good.”
Louis Cabral, who came from Rhode Island to support Porto, said he'll be back for the 2026 FIFA Would Cup, with plans to go to every participating state.
