New Jersey spends $20M to promote World Cup while ‘NY–NJ’ branding sparks political firestorm

TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey is committing $20 million to promote itself during the 2026 FIFA World Cup even as the event is branded globally as “New York–New Jersey,” a tension that is drawing scrutiny from state leaders over cost, credit, and economic return, even though the games are hosted at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Like the New York Giants and Jets, who are now New York in name only, this year’s World Cup final is being represented global...