Can New York and New Jersey Handle the Chaos When the World Cup Arrives

This summer it will do so as part of a joint effort with Canada and Mexico.
In the lead up to the tournament there have been several issues to contend with including geopolitical tensions, anger over visa restrictions, and expensive tickets.
But there is also the matter of whether the US is prepared to handle the pressure of co hosting what many see as the biggest global sporting event.

Brazil’s national team have set up camp at the Red Bull training facility in Morristown New Jersey.
As they run through drills excited fans catch a rare glimpse of their favourite players in the flesh, and some are rewarded with autographs and photos.
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha told Source the fans have been amazing and so far it is off to a good start.
He complimented the facility, the pitch, and everything else including the weather which reminds him of Brazil.
He jokingly added that the only thing is it is called football not soccer.

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But for local fans the excitement is tempered by fears that traffic already congested in this region will wreak havoc.
Brazilian American Vivi de Castro said ticket holders could arrive late or miss matches if they do not plan correctly.
She found out the hard way during a March friendly between Brazil and France in Boston when she had pitchside access and missed it because of how much traffic there was.
People walking were getting there quicker than the bus they had.

Across New York and New Jersey motorways and tunnels signs warn that traffic will be more congested than usual.
At transit hubs posters warn that streets and trains will be much busier this summer and to know before you go.
The city is designating each matchday a gridlock alert day to discourage unnecessary driving and will have dedicated travel corridors.
New York is deploying more than 100 staff throughout midtown to manage traffic operations, and public transport has been modified to handle extra commuters.

At Brooklyn’s Prospect Park several young players from the SC Gjøa Soccer club told Source they were lucky enough to secure tickets.
Goalkeeper Baxter Rowland is attending two matches, one with his family and the other with a group of friends who have chartered a bus.
His mother Alice Baxter has decided to drive to the first game and said she has been researching and is worried about the traffic getting to the stadium, parking, and then leaving.
She thinks it is going to be a little bit stressful and might be difficult for the first few games at least, though hopefully it will get better and they will work out the kinks especially with the final here in New Jersey.

Dennis Wyrwoll is excited he can take his 10 year old son Nicholas to four matches but has already accepted that getting there is going to be more painful than the last time the US hosted.
He was here in 1994 when nobody knew anything about football and it was easy to get tickets.
This time around he said there is a lot of excitement in New York but he is curious to see how it builds outside of the big cities where there are not as many soccer fans.

The beautiful game may have a smaller footprint in the United States but public interest has been growing over the years.
Coach Kaha Tavadze said that in the past year the club has had triple the amount of players joining and trying out, and he believes that is directly due to the World Cup being hosted here.
He said children now follow the sport more closely, know every player, and wear their favourite team’s jersey.
Watching live games especially at that level will change their mindset he suggested.

Other families are hoping they will be able to find last minute tickets.
Shantay Armstrong’s seven year old son has been playing football with the club for five years and really wants to go.
She recently tried the raffle for affordable tickets offered by New York but within minutes the website said the raffle was closed for any more submissions.
She said it is almost heartbreaking that there is a lack of accessibility for people who cannot afford to go, adding that the lack of opportunity makes her feel locked out like they are here but not here.

Officials are hosting free fan zones where those without tickets can join in on the experience.
There is also a push to get residents and visitors into local businesses in the hope they too will benefit from the financial windfall.

Enda Keenan owns Legends Bar across from the Empire State Building and the home bar to many overseas clubs.
He believes New York businesses will see a massive boost and has had to turn down business including from FIFA.
For the Champions League final Legends had 1,300 people inside the bar and another 700 outside where they had set up an 85 inch television and sold beers right on the sidewalk.
They sent the overflow of customers to five other nearby bars.

With approximately 1.2 million visitors expected to travel to the New York New Jersey region during the World Cup Keenan anticipates it being even busier, saying it is a different level altogether.
Whether the US is ready or not will be quickly apparent.