World Cup 2026: Turning Pressure into a Driving Force for Development

According to a TTXVN correspondent in New York, at a seminar organized by the Regional Plan Association (RPA), speakers who had participated in major sporting events such as the World Cup and Olympics shared their experiences on how to build an organizational model that fosters community engagement and creates lasting value after the tournament concludes.

Experts noted that the 2026 World Cup is not just about a few stadiums or matches, but also a test of the entire New York/New Jersey/Connecticut region's coordination capacity in transportation, security, tourism, and communication. One highlighted point was MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is set to host eight matches, including the final. This means the area around the stadium will face immense pressure in terms of traffic, accommodation, and security throughout the tournament. The experts argued that without close cooperation between the two state governments, businesses, and public transport agencies, the economic benefits of the World Cup could be significantly diminished.

Moreover, the issue of fan zones is also seen as a key element in spreading the atmosphere of the 2026 World Cup to the general public. Experts noted that preparations and openings of fan zones have been rather slow, but they appreciated that the organizing committee placed fan zones in locations with suitable infrastructure capable of accommodating large crowds, while being convenient for public transport and support services. Some experts suggested expanding fan zones beyond the core area to distribute economic benefits and relieve pressure on already crowded central areas. The speakers also emphasized that hosting a mega sporting event must go hand in hand with the involvement of the local community, because if residents feel their daily lives are excessively disrupted, the positive impact of the tournament will be limited.

Overall, the 2026 World Cup is an opportunity for New York/New Jersey not only to affirm their status as a leading global center for sports, tourism, and media, but also to create lasting legacies in infrastructure, urban governance, and regional connectivity. Scientific, systematic, and long-term preparation will be the decisive factor for this region to turn the pressure of a global-scale event into a new driving force for development.