FIFA is set to host eight World Cup matches, including the final, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. However, the event has become a source of contention for many New Jersey residents, who view the hosting responsibilities as a financial burden. The controversy escalated when NJ Transit announced a fare increase to $150 for a round-trip ticket from Manhattan to the Meadowlands, a drastic rise from the usual $13. Although the fare was later reduced to $98, Governor Mikie Sherrill expressed concerns about the $62 million in transit costs associated with the event, insisting that FIFA should contribute more financially. A recent poll revealed that only 2% of New Jersey residents planned to attend a match, while 49% showed no interest, reflecting a growing discontent with the perceived economic benefits of hosting. The state has also canceled a $5 million fan festival at Liberty State Park, further illustrating the shift in sentiment since the World Cup was initially announced. Additionally, FIFA's renaming of the stadium has sparked local resentment, emphasizing the ongoing identity crisis faced by New Jersey in relation to its neighbor, New York.