New Jersey wants part of the proceeds from the sale of the turf of the 2026 World Cup final

What happened

The authorities of the American state of New Jersey want to receive part of the funds from the sale of fragments of the turf that will be used during the finals of the 2026 World Cup. As reported Forbes, the state emphasizes that it was the local budget that financed most of the preparation of the MetLife Stadium field.

A representative of the gubernatorial candidate, Mickey Sherrill, said that taxpayers should get their share of the profits from the sale of memorabilia.

How much are souvenirs?

FIFA has already opened the sale of fragments of the turf, offering four kits worth $450, $900, $1,200, and $3,000.

The basic sets contain small cubes of real grass, while the most expensive version additionally includes a larger piece of the pitch, a gold-engraved commemorative ticket, a miniature final ball and a crystal souvenir in the shape of the World Cup.

According to estimates The Athletic, the sale of all kits can bring FIFA up to 11.2 million dollars.

Where will the funds go?

The main part of the received funds is planned to be transferred to the organizing committee NYNJ Host Committee, which is responsible for holding matches in New York and New Jersey. FIFA will keep only part of the income.

At the same time, New Jersey believes that part of these funds should return to the state budget, since it was he who financed the preparation of the football field for the finals of the World Cup.

Not the first case

The sale of fragments of the lawn has already become one of FIFA's commercial projects. Previously, the organization sold similar souvenirs after the final of the Club World Cup, and before the 2026 World Cup, it also released a limited collection of t-shirts of the host cities and set record prices for tickets to the final match.