Bloomberg Talks: FIFA World Cup NYNJ CEO Alex Lasry Talks World Cup
Date: December 5, 2025
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Alex Lasry, CEO, FIFA World Cup 2026 New York/New Jersey Host Committee
Episode Overview
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Alex Lasry about the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026 and its anticipated impact on New York, New Jersey, and the broader United States. Lasry discusses the economic, cultural, and sporting legacy the event hopes to create, addresses the logistics of hosting an event of such magnitude, and emphasizes the collaborative efforts across local, state, and federal governments. The discussion also delves into soccer’s evolving popularity in America and the potential for greater international cooperation in the sport.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Economic Impact and Event Scale
- Massive Local Impact:
- The regional economic impact is projected to exceed $3 billion, with millions of international visitors expected.
- Lasry describes the event as possibly the "biggest sporting event in human history," outpacing even the Super Bowl and major concerts.
- Quote:
“We're looking at over $3 billion of economic impact, millions of fans from around the world that are going to be coming right here to, to our region.”
— Alex Lasry [01:00] - The legacy extends beyond immediate financial boost, aiming to establish NY/NJ as the preeminent global stage for elite events.
2. Welcoming International Visitors Amid Political Tensions
- Cultural Embrace:
- Despite concerns over tightened immigration and the general climate in the U.S., Lasry stresses enthusiastic plans to welcome global fans.
- Focus on fan experiences extends far beyond the stadium, including fan fests and activations across the city.
- Quote:
“We're really excited to welcome the entire world to, to our region. And that's what the benefit of this World cup is and what makes this World cup so unique.”
— Alex Lasry [01:40]
3. Comparing the World Cup Final to Major U.S. Events
- Unmatched Global Audience:
- The World Cup final expected to outstrip television audiences for even the Super Bowl—“the last World cup final was viewed by the same amount of people as the last 13 Super Bowls combined.”
- Venue, MetLife Stadium, will serve as the epicenter, spotlighting the region’s ability to host unparalleled global events.
- Quote:
“This final is going to be the biggest sporting event, maybe even the biggest in human history.”
— Alex Lasry [02:29]
4. Raising Soccer’s Profile in the United States
- Inspiring a New Generation:
- Lasry draws parallels between the 2026 World Cup and the 1992 Dream Team effect for basketball, hoping to inspire young athletes.
- The 1999 Women’s World Cup legacy is cited as a model for growing the men’s game.
- Quote:
“Our hope for this World cup and the legacy for this World cup is doing for, for football what—you know, the dream did for basketball around the world, right? It inspired a generation of basketball players.”
— Alex Lasry [03:28]
5. International League Cooperation and Globalization of Soccer
- Transatlantic Partnerships:
- Increased collaboration between MLS and European leagues, including U.S. hosting of Premier League exhibitions and FIFA Club World Cup matches.
- Lasry suggests the next step is having European leagues play competitive matches in the U.S., mirroring the NBA/NFL’s games abroad.
- Quote:
“You're already seeing a lot of symbiosis... the hope is that we can start to do that with football and that will really expand the game and continue to grow the.”
— Alex Lasry [04:51]
6. Coordination Across North American Host Cities & Countries
- Best Practices and Unified Fan Experience:
- Consensus and regular communication with counterparts in other cities and countries for a consistent, high-quality experience.
- The World Cup is anticipated to generate over $30 billion nationally, with more than 6 million visitors.
- Quote:
“The fan experience in one city is going to directly affect the fan experience in another... So we're trying to make sure that we're all, all in communication, all talking about what we can do to make sure that everyone coming to the United States has an incredible experience.”
— Alex Lasry [06:07]
7. Government Collaboration and the “Decade of Sports”
- Multi-level Government Support:
- Emphasizes unprecedented collaboration between city, state, and federal bodies, setting partisanship aside for event success.
- The World Cup “kicks off” a decade of major sporting events in the U.S. (including the 2028 LA Olympics and 2031 Women’s World Cup).
- Quote:
“We're actually seeing a putting aside of politics to make sure that these games are successful... this is really the decade of sports and the World cup is kind of the kickoff of that.”
— Alex Lasry [07:29]
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
- "If you want to have the premier sports and entertainment event, you want to do it in the biggest stage right here in New York, New Jersey." — Alex Lasry [01:16]
- "This is going to be the biggest event we've ever had... outpacing a Super Bowl, Taylor Swift concert, you name it." — Alex Lasry [02:37]
- "Hopefully it inspires them to go play football and to go join the U.S. men's National Team to make us the strongest team in the world." — Alex Lasry [03:51]
- "We really have to make sure that we put on a great show to, you know, I think really set the tone for what these mega sporting events over the next 10 years are going to look like." — Alex Lasry [08:08]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 01:00 — Economic impact and local expectations
- 01:40 — U.S. political climate and welcoming international visitors
- 02:29 — Comparing the World Cup final to the Super Bowl and other mega-events
- 03:28 — Hopes for soccer’s growth and generational impact
- 04:51 — International football league collaboration
- 06:07 — Coordination with other host cities and projected national impact
- 07:29 — Government involvement and the decade of global sporting events in the U.S.
Summary prepared for listeners interested in the economic, social, and sporting impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the New York/New Jersey region—and across the U.S.