German national team players are covering bus transport costs for supporters attending their June 25 group game against Ecuador, citing high ticket prices at the tournament.
4:32 PM
Germany's national team players have organized free transport for 600 of the country's supporters traveling to their final World Cup group game against Ecuador in New Jersey on June 25.
The initiative addresses criticism over elevated transport costs from central New York to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Round-trip train tickets, normally priced at $12.90, were initially increased to $150 for the tournament before being reduced to $98. Shuttle bus fares were initially set at $80 before being lowered to $20.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill attributed the inflated prices to FIFA's refusal to subsidize transport expenditure at the World Cup. Sherrill defended the pricing as a way of protecting local taxpayers.
The German players' decision to cover bus fares for their supporters contrasts with transport arrangements at other recent tournaments. At the 2024 European Championship, German fans faced different cost structures for attending matches.
The match between Germany and Ecuador will conclude Group E play at the 2026 World Cup. Germany is competing in the tournament as it seeks to win the competition for a fifth time.
Round-trip rail fares from New York to MetLife Stadium for FIFA World Cup matches may reach $150, more than 10 times the standard $12.90 fare.
Soccer's governing body raised its highest category one seats for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium from $10,990 to $32,970.
Uber will operate 50-seat shuttle vans for FIFA World Cup attendees leaving MetLife Stadium and three other host cities this summer.
FIFA launches Last-Minute Sales Phase on Wednesday, offering tickets across multiple pricing tiers on a first-come, first-served basis.
Attorneys general of both states issued subpoenas to FIFA over ticket pricing and sales practices for 2026 World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.
New York City's $50 FIFA World Cup ticket lottery reached its 50,000-entry daily limit within three minutes of opening Monday morning.
