Nellie Pou

New Jersey’s newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives got a chance to tour MetLife Stadium recently to learn about what security measures are being implemented for next year’s World Cup as part of federal delegation.

Rep. Nellie Pou, who represents New Jersey's 9th Congressional District, which includes East Rutherford, is the top Democrat on the House task force assessing security for the 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament. Along for Pou's tour were congressional and tournament leaders, including Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, the task force's chair; Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-MIssissippi, the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee; regional host committee CEO Alex Lasry; and Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Task Force.

They heard from New Jersey State Police, MetLife Stadium security and FIFA officials about screening practices, in terms of distribution of tickets and entrance into the stadium and fan fest. They also discussed coordination with federal, state and local law enforcement. Officials talked about specific threats they were tracking and what kinds of capabilities they have to deal with them.

MetLife Stadium is no stranger to big-ticket events — the facility hosts world-class concerts and weekly NFL games and has held a Super Bowl and multiple WrestleMania matches.

During the tour, the security measures that already exist at MetLife Stadium were highlighted, along with the scope and size of the upcoming FIFA matches and what that adds to the security challenges.

Pou said she was happy to show members of the Homeland Security Committee and the task force where the World Cup final will be played.

“All authorities are working hard to protect the event and its participants,” she said in a statement. “Congress’s job here is to help keep everyone working together and provide whatever federal resources we can to assure total security. We have work to do to be ready for next summer.”

The first-term congresswoman is working to provide resources for state and local law enforcement so there is better coordination and transparency between the elected officials in the region and FIFA as it relates to security, her office said.

2026 FIFA World Cup: What to know

The tournament — which kicks off June 10, 2026, and wraps with a final match at MetLife Stadium on July 19, 2026 — is the first to take place in three different countries and presents unique security challenges as a result.

East Rutherford will host five group stage matches, two knockout round matches and the tournament final.

The official draw — when all 48 teams find out where they will be playing their group stage matches — will be held Dec. 5 in Washington, DC. That is when teams will be assigned to specific match schedule fixtures, including venues and kickoff times.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is expected to generate $3.3 billion for the region. The matches held in East Rutherford are being coordinated under the auspices of a partnership between New Jersey and New York City. The lion's share of that revenue will likely end up in New York City.

Pou and other members of the task force went to New Orleans in advance of the Super Bowl and also visited Audi Field in Washington, which hosted multiple matches during the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.

During a panel hearing, members of the task force heard about the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, the 2024 Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting and the 2025 truck-ramming attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Through her role on the House Homeland Security Committee, Pou offered an amendment to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee portion of the budget to provide funding for planning transportation options to and from the 2026 World Cup and surrounding areas. It was blocked by House Republicans.

Security at the tournament was also a topic of conversation at the eastern region meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General earlier this month.

New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said his office has a clear priority on prosecuting and protecting people from human trafficking.

“It is something that affects every community, and a large event like the World Cup … brings with it attention and challenges from people who would like to prey on vulnerable individuals,” Platkin said.