New Jersey officials are pressing FIFA for a cut of the revenue from small sections of sod the federation plans to sell from the field used in the World Cup final at MetLife Stadium.
Sean Higgins, a spokesperson for Gov. Mikie Sherrill, D-N.J., told Politico that the state covered “the vast majority of the total expense for the pitch at MetLife Stadium,” and that New Jersey taxpayers should receive part of any proceeds from the sales. The comment comes as FIFA advertises pieces of turf from the final — scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford — in several price tiers.
What’s being sold and how much it could bring in
FIFA is offering grass-and-soil souvenirs from the final in multiple packages. The basic tiers include small cubes of turf, and a premium package includes a mini replica trophy and other keepsakes. If every piece sells, the federation could net roughly $11.2 million, according to reporting.
- Lowest tier: $450 for a small grass-and-soil cube.
- Mid tiers: $900 and $1,200 versions of the small turf piece.
- Premium tier: $3,000 package with a larger turf section and additional memorabilia.
“New Jersey paid for the vast majority of the total expense for the pitch at MetLife stadium, so New Jersey taxpayers should share in any proceeds from this latest money grab,”
The sale of stadium turf is not new for FIFA. The organization sold grass from the Club World Cup final last year, offering encased cubes of turf and soil as collectibles. This year’s offerings join other official merchandise tied to the tournament, such as limited-edition host city jerseys.
What this means for Garden State residents
At this stage it remains unclear how any agreement between New Jersey and FIFA — if reached — would translate into tangible returns for taxpayers. The governor’s office has raised the concern publicly but has not disclosed a specific mechanism for how proceeds would be allocated or distributed. Forbes has sought comment from Sherrill’s office.
The World Cup match slated for July 19 at MetLife will feature Spain against either England or Argentina, bringing renewed attention and economic activity to East Rutherford and surrounding communities. While the sale of memorabilia could be lucrative for FIFA, state officials argue that public funds used to prepare the playing surface create a stake for taxpayers.
Price tiers at a glance
| Price | Contents (reported) |
|---|---|
| $450 | 2.5" x 2.5" x 2.5" turf/soil cube |
| $900 | 2.5" x 2.5" x 2.5" turf/soil cube (variant) |
| $1,200 | 2.5" x 2.5" x 2.5" turf/soil cube (variant) |
| $3,000 | 3" x 3" x 3" turf/soil cube, gold-etched ticket, mini replica ball, crystal-cut glass trophy |
State officials did not provide detailed accounting in the statement to explain the specific costs New Jersey covered to prepare the pitch. Local leaders and taxpayers may press for clarity if discussions with FIFA move forward.
As the World Cup proceeds and FIFA’s merchandising plans unfold, the dispute highlights a recurring question when public venues host lucrative international events: how much of the financial upside should return to the communities and taxpayers who helped support the facilities.
Reporting for this article relied on statements provided to Politico and item descriptions reported by The Athletic and other outlets about FIFA’s proposed merchandise. Additional inquiries were directed to the governor’s office for further comment.
