New Jersey congressman Josh Gottheimer has written to the new heads of the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to request that all eight matches at MetLife Stadium during the 2026 World Cup are designated at the highest security ranking to avoid risks to “thousands of fans, players, and law enforcement officials.”
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The 82,500-capacity stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., has been awarded five matches during the group phase, as well as a round-of-32 game, a last-16 game and the final at the tournament, which the U.S. will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
Gottheimer’s letter said that only the World Cup final at MetLife is currently designated for the highest level of security support (Level 1), with other games at the stadium during the tournament receiving Level 2 status, which has more limited federal support.
Major sports events in the U.S. are given a security risk level, the highest being the Level 1 Special Event Assessment Ranking (SEAR), which are reserved for events of national and international significance. A Level 1 SEAR involves extensive federal interagency support and in the case of MetLife, Rep. Gottheimer says it would ensure that New Jersey State Police and local law enforcement receive maximum support from federal agencies, including equipment, infrastructure, personnel and funding.
Democrat representative Gottheimer first sent a letter in November, which has been seen by The Athletic, requesting the highest-possible security for the MetLife games. This was under the previous U.S. administration headed by President Joe Biden, but Rep. Gottheimer did not receive a reply.
His office has now confirmed to The Athletic that the letter was re-sent in late March to both the FBI and DHS. The new appointees of President Donald Trump’s administration — Kash Patel (director of the FBI) and Kristi Noem (Secretary of DHS) — were the recipients.
In the November letter, he wrote: “I am concerned that these ‘Level 2’ designations will not provide New Jersey law enforcement officers with the tools and resources they need to keep attendees and the surrounding communities safe. A failure to properly designate all matches being played at MetLife Stadium as “Level 1” risks the security of the thousands of fans, players, and law enforcement officials.”
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Gottheimer referenced the difficulties the authorities faced when hosting the Copa América final in Miami last summer. “With large crowds, larger than those at COPA in Miami, high-profile attendees, and global media attention increasing visibility, this can also increase vulnerability. And, since every single World Cup game played here at MetLife will be a national event, every single one of them needs the SEAR 1 designation.
“This will be critical to securing not only this stadium, including the area we are currently standing in, but also to protecting the tens of thousands of people who live here in the greater East Rutherford area. They will be impacted by traffic, public transportation changes, and the massive amount of visitors coming here. Keep in mind, you will have a million fans coming and going, either to the stadium itself, or watching and staying nearby.”
He added: “As a Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I’m keenly focused on the threats facing our nation, whether that’s terrorists from abroad, local cells, or lone wolf extremists at home. Between 1970 and 2019, there were seventy-four terrorist attacks on sports venues around the world.”
The FBI and DHS did not respond on Thursday when asked by The Athletic if all games at MetLife Stadium will be designated Level 1 status.
Kash Patel, the director of the FBI, met with FIFA president Gianni Infantino this week in Miami. He wrote on X: “The FBI is proud to work with FIFA to ensure global security for the upcoming 2026 World Cup in the U.S. Thank you President Gianni Infantino for your collaboration and partnership.”
(Top photo: Al Bello/Getty Images)
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