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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 05: FIFA World Cup Trophy is displayed during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mandel NGAN – Pool/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – Today’s World Cup update looks at FIFA politics in South America, new red card rules that UEFA is not adopting and Brazil’s squad taking shape ahead of matches in New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia.
JUMP TO: STARTING DATE l NY, NJ MATCH SCHEDULE l HOW TO GET TO THE STADIUM l HOW TO WATCH l NEWS TODAY l BETTING ODDS
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The New York Times reported on FIFA’s relationship with South American soccer leadership, including CONMEBOL president Alejandro Dominguez, as the 2026 World Cup approaches. The story adds another political and organizational layer to the tournament countdown, beyond the matches themselves.
With the World Cup expanding and North America preparing to host the biggest version of the tournament yet, the influence of regional soccer leaders remains part of the bigger picture behind how FIFA operates and how the global game is shaped.
UEFA will not follow FIFA’s lead on automatic red cards for players who cover their mouths during confrontations or leave the field in protest of a referee’s decision, according to The Guardian. The rules are set to apply at the World Cup, but not in UEFA club competitions.
That distinction matters for fans used to watching club soccer, because World Cup discipline may look different from competitions like the Champions League or Premier League. The Guardian reported that UEFA plans to monitor how the new rules work during the World Cup before considering any future changes.
Olympics.com published a look at Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad, key players, statistics and schedule as one of the tournament’s biggest teams prepares for North America. Brazil is always one of the most watched nations at any World Cup, and this year’s squad includes major global names.
For local fans, Brazil is especially notable because the team is scheduled to play in both New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia during the group stage. Brazil faces Morocco at MetLife Stadium on June 13 and Haiti in Philadelphia on June 19.
Timeline:
The World Cup begins on Thursday, June 11 at 3 p.m. ET, with Mexico facing South Africa in the opening match.
The U.S. men’s national team will play its first match on Friday, June 12 at 9 p.m. ET against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
The first match in the New York/New Jersey region is set for Saturday, June 13 at 6 p.m. ET, when Brazil faces Morocco in Group C.
Local perspective:
MetLife Stadium will host eight matches in this summer's World Cup, but the stadium will be rebranded as "New York New Jersey Stadium" for the duration of the tournament. Here's the full schedule for New York New Jersey Stadium:
New York New Jersey Stadium (temporarily renamed from MetLife stadium) is seen from the inside ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 7, 2026. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)
Local perspective:
FIFA has eliminated parking at MetLife Stadium, meaning public transit and ride-sharing will be the primary options for fans.
For those who do plan to drive, a limited number of premium parking spots near the American Dream complex will be available for FIFA ticket holders, according to officials. Each spot costs over $200 per match, and fans can use a dedicated walkway from the lot to MetLife Stadium for direct access. Organizers caution that these spots are extremely limited, making mass transit the preferred option for most fans.
During matches, NJ Transit buses are expected to run every 30 seconds, helping attendees reach the stadium. Officials said shuttle services will operate from designated hubs, while ride-share users will face limited drop-off locations and a walk of about 1.5 miles to reach the stadium.
Separate reports indicate that on matchdays, access to NJ Transit trains bound for the Meadowlands from Penn Station could be limited to World Cup ticket holders for several hours before games, though officials have not confirmed that plan.
Last month, a New York City Council member pushed a proposal to expand ferry service between New York and New Jersey.
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Watch live coverage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on FOX ONE, TUBI and over the air on FOX 5 NY, with some matches on FS1. All US matches will be on FOX 5/FOX One.
The latest:
By the numbers:
Polymarket has France as the favorites (18%) to lift the trophy, followed by Spain with 17%, England at 11%. Brazil currently in fourth at 9%. The website also has the US as the favorites to win Group D.
The Source: This article was written using information from The New York Times, The Guardian and Olympics.com.
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