Fifa is now selling world cup grass paid for by new jersey taxpayers

FIFA Is Now Selling World Cup Grass Paid for by New Jersey Taxpayers

by
July 18, 2026
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Assemblyman Michael Inganamort says FIFA should not profit from selling pieces of the World Cup Final field because New Jersey taxpayers funded the grass installation at MetLife Stadium.

TRENTON, N.J. – A New Jersey Republican lawmaker is calling on Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration to stop FIFA from selling pieces of the grass field used during the FIFA World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium, arguing the turf is state-owned property paid for by New Jersey taxpayers.

Assemblyman Michael Inganamort said FIFA’s plan to sell preserved sections of the field for between $450 and $3,000 each could generate an estimated $11.2 million, despite New Jersey taxpayers spending $13 million to replace the stadium’s artificial turf with natural grass for the tournament.

Related: FIFA World Cup, MetLife Stadium, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, Michael Inganamort, Mikie Sherrill

GOP lawmaker questions legality of sales

Inganamort, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee, contends FIFA lacks the authority to sell the field because the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority holds the land lease for the MetLife Sports Complex, which is operated by the state.

“FIFA needs to get off our turf, literally,” Inganamort said. “New Jersey taxpayers funded $13 million in upgrades to MetLife Stadium, including replacing the artificial turf with grass. Additionally, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority holds the stadium’s land lease. This is state-owned property. FIFA can’t just sell off the soccer pitch without permission.”

The assemblyman said the Sherrill administration should pursue legal action, including a temporary restraining order, to stop the sales.

“What is happening is not just a bad deal for the taxpayers of New Jersey, it’s illegal,” Inganamort said. “The Sherrill administration must use every tool at their disposal to stop FIFA from selling off our field, including seeking a restraining order.”

Taxpayer funding at center of dispute

According to Inganamort, the grass installed for the World Cup was paid for with taxpayer funds and should be treated as public property subject to state laws governing the disposal of surplus assets.

“It is American-grown grass paid for by the taxpayers of New Jersey and planted at a state-owned complex,” he said. “The sale must follow all the rules and laws that dictate how state surplus property is sold. It must benefit New Jersey taxpayers—not FIFA or a host committee that splits resources across New Jersey and New York.”

The lawmaker has previously criticized the millions of taxpayer dollars spent to prepare MetLife Stadium to host World Cup matches.

FIFA has not publicly addressed the criticism

FIFA has offered preserved pieces of the World Cup Final pitch for sale through its official merchandise channels, with prices ranging from $450 to $3,000 depending on the size of the section.

As of Saturday, neither FIFA, the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority, nor Gov. Sherrill’s office had publicly responded to Inganamort’s request for legal action.

Why it matters

The dispute raises questions about ownership of improvements made to publicly controlled facilities used for major international sporting events and whether organizations hosting those events can commercially profit from taxpayer-funded assets.

About this report

This article is based on a statement released by Assemblyman Michael Inganamort and public information regarding FIFA’s sale of preserved sections of the World Cup Final playing surface. FIFA and state officials had not publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication.

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