Host cities for the 2026 World Cup are accelerating urban and technological projects to improve connectivity and mobility for fans [1, 2].

These preparations are critical because the scale of the event requires a precise balance between public infrastructure investment and the actual economic return for host cities [2].

In Mexico City, the focus remains on enhancing the fan experience through improved transportation and connectivity [1, 2]. However, the transition has not been without friction. Analyst Claudia Arlett Espino said that reaching certain facilities, such as the INE, may be difficult during the tournament days [1].

In the U.S., logistics for the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, have become a point of financial contention. Reported prices for round-trip train tickets from Manhattan to the stadium vary significantly. One report said that the ticket price was reduced to $105 [3], while another indicated that tariffs for fans could rise as high as $150 [4]. This is a sharp increase from the habitual round-trip fare of $12.90 [3].

Beyond transport, officials are conducting economic-financial analyses to determine the viability of budgets, and the total economic spillover expected from the event [2]. These studies aim to ensure that the long-term benefits of public works outweigh the immediate costs of hosting [2].

Ticketing for the event also continues to move forward, with a new phase of the ticket sales process opening on Dec. 11 [5]. This phase is part of the broader effort to manage the influx of international visitors across the three host nations [5].

“Host cities are accelerating urban and technological projects to improve connectivity.”

The disparity in transport pricing and the concerns over local accessibility suggest that while high-level infrastructure is being fast-tracked, the 'last-mile' experience for both fans and residents remains a volatile variable. The focus on cost-benefit analysis indicates that host cities are attempting to avoid the 'white elephant' syndrome—where expensive stadiums and transport links become useless after the closing whistle.