In recent weeks, reports have circulated that FIFA are concerned about a perceived ‘lack of hype' for the 2026 World Cup, and it's not difficult to understand why.
Extortionate ticket prices and concerns around fan safety have led millions of fans across the world to turn their backs on the tournament, and this week, FIFA have had another PR nightmare with the cancellation of a fan festival in New Jersey.
World Cup fan park plans scrapped
For several months now, FIFA have been advertising a huge World Cup fan festival at Liberty State Park. The governing body had planned for the park to be transformed into a massive match party for all World Cup matches from 11 June to 19 July.
On the face of it, the fan park had the potential to be one of the best places to watch the World Cup this summer. In addition to live screenings, food, drink and concerts, the fan park was also going to provide guests with a perfect view of the Statue of Liberty and the famous New York skyline.
Tickets had already been sold for several matches, but a message on Ticketmaster now reads “Unfortunately, the Event Organiser has had to cancel your event. You don't need to do a thing. We'll issue a refund.”
Annnnd the Liberty Park Fan Fest for NY NJ is no more.🙅♂️
— The World Cup Guide (@World_Cup_Guide) February 20, 2026
Instead, “the state is allocating $5million to support community initiatives for fans”
At least they’re refunding people 🤷♂️
“Tickets already purchased for the Liberty State Park Fan Fest will be refunded” https://t.co/jZZqoaAleM
Reasons given for the fan zone cancellation
Although there has been no official reason given by FIFA for the cancellation, a statement from Jersey City has offered some insight. It read:
“It became increasingly clear that there was no workable, cost-effective way to manage the influx of tens of thousands of fans into Liberty State Park, while maintaining access to the members of the Jersey City community.“
Governor Mikie Sherrill has offered fans some encouragement about other plans for World Cup watch parties. He said:
“From fan zones to neighbourhood watch parties to street fairs, we are investing in the communities and small businesses that make New Jersey extraordinary.”
FGG says: FIFA are right to be concerned, but it's all their own doing
A World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico should be one of the most hotly anticipated sporting events in history, but the ill-feeling towards FIFA across the footballing world has put a huge dampener on the build-up. The big issue for the governing body is that they have probably now left it too late to do anything about it.