As the 2026 FIFA World Cup rapidly approaches, a critical question is gaining increasing attention across global sports circles: is the United States fully prepared to welcome the world’s biggest football tournament? The question has been thrown into sharp focus in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area, one of the key host zones that is scheduled to stage eight matches during the month-long event, more than many other host cities across the North American joint hosting project.
BBC correspondent Nada Tawfik has recently been on the ground investigating the current state of preparations in the region, uncovering a series of lingering concerns that have yet to be fully resolved. From infrastructure upgrades to transportation capacity, and fan experience planning to security arrangements, multiple aspects of the readiness work are still undergoing final adjustments, leaving observers questioning whether all deliverables will be completed on time ahead of the tournament’s kickoff.
The New York-New Jersey area is one of 16 host cities across the three co-host nations of the United States, Mexico and Canada, and its central role in the tournament means any delays or gaps in preparation could have knock-on effects for the entire event. Football fans from every corner of the globe are expected to descend on the region to watch top-tier matches, placing significant expectations on local organizers to deliver a seamless, world-class experience. As preparations enter the final stretch, all eyes remain on how organizers will address the identified concerns and cross the finish line in time for the historic 48-team tournament.