EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Police departments from Hillsdale, Emerson, Park Ridge, River Vale, Woodcliff Lake, Upper Saddle River and other northern Bergen communities are participating in World Cup security operations that will be supported by a new $8.5 million federal funding package.
U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency funding will be directed to local law enforcement agencies, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and the New Jersey State Police to help cover overtime and other security-related costs associated with the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The funding includes money for police departments in Bergen County towns surrounding MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Complex, as well as northern Bergen departments supporting those operations through the Bergen County FIFA Task Force.
“This is a massive moment for New Jersey and for the entire country, and we need to make sure our officers and first responders have the resources to do their jobs,” Gottheimer said. “Our local county prosecutor, law enforcement officers, and State Troopers are working overtime to keep people safe during the World Cup. They need the funding to match.”
MetLife Stadium is scheduled to host eight matches, including the tournament final. Hundreds of thousands of fans are expected to visit North Jersey during the event.
According to Gottheimer’s office, $3 million will be distributed to local law enforcement departments in Bergen County communities surrounding MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Complex, as well as departments in northern Bergen County supporting those operations. The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office will oversee allocation of those funds.
The municipalities immediately surrounding the stadium include Carlstadt, East Rutherford, Lyndhurst, Moonachie, Rutherford, Little Ferry, North Arlington and Wood-Ridge.
Police from 38 Bergen County municipalities will participate in the Bergen County FIFA Task Force, providing additional staffing and security support during the tournament.
An additional $1.5 million will go to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office to support FIFA Task Force operations and related security efforts. The remaining $4 million will be directed to the New Jersey State Police, which will oversee security at MetLife Stadium and the Meadowlands Complex during the matches.
The funding is intended primarily to cover officer overtime and other necessary expenses associated with World Cup security operations.
Gottheimer said local police agencies, county prosecutors and state troopers will face weeks of heightened security demands as fans from around the world travel to New Jersey.
“Keeping everyone safe — every team, every fan, every world leader, every family pouring into our towns — takes serious resources,” he said.
The funding comes as local departments prepare for weeks of heightened staffing needs associated with World Cup matches, fan events and related security operations.
Gottheimer said he worked with the White House, FEMA and federal officials to secure the additional funding after concerns were raised that local departments and taxpayers could otherwise bear much of the financial burden associated with the event.
Joining Gottheimer at the announcement were Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, Bergen County Commissioner Tracy Zur, representatives of law enforcement organizations and police chiefs from across Bergen County, among them several from the Pascack Valley and Northern Valley.