Democrats’ new affordability nemesis: FIFA

Democrats, including New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), are criticizing FIFA and the Trump administration over high costs and poor planning for the upcoming World Cup matches in New York and New Jersey. Sherrill blames FIFA, a Zurich-based nonprofit, for not covering transportation costs, leading New Jersey Transit to propose charging ticketholders over $100 to get to MetLife Stadium. Schumer specifically criticized the Trump administration's World Cup task force, led by Andrew Giuliani, for failing to protect consumers and support local transit agencies. Giuliani countered that New York and New Jersey sought to host the games despite existing budget issues, accusing Democrats of using the event for a bailout. This dispute over costs and funding is escalating just weeks before the tournament's June start, with New Jersey officials estimating $48 million in special service costs for World Cup fans.