How can my business – or my municipality – benefit economically from the FIFA 2026 World Cup, which is just 18 months away?
What are some simple ways to celebrate the spirit and pageantry of the world’s largest sporting event when it comes to region?
And just what are the rules and regulations surrounding the use of the FIFA name and/or the World Cup logo and branding?
These are just some of the questions that the recently released ‘2026 World Cup Reference Guide’ aims to answer.
The 9-page PDF guide, which can be found on the website of the New Jersey Diverse Business Advisory Council, is the brainchild of Luis De La Hoz, Gus Penaranda and Elisa Charters – and is sponsored by the NJDBAC, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, Evolvere Consulting and the Juegos.Juegos social scheduling app.
The aim, De La Hoz, Penaranda and Charters said, is for the guide to start conversations among businesses, municipalities and counties about preparing for the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
“This guide is designed for businesses, organizations and individuals looking to draw attention, generate revenue, and engage with the local and global audience that the World Cup brings,” Penaranda said.
Officials with the New York/New Jersey World Cup 2026 Host Committee said they expect that FIFA will soon announce more guidelines on how companies and communities can properly participate in the event, which will begin on June 11, 2026, and run through July 19, when the final will be held at MetLife Stadium.
Lauren LaRusso, the co-host city manager of the host committee, said the group welcomed the efforts of the community to spur conversations.
“We are thrilled to see the incredible enthusiasm from community leaders eager to contribute ideas on how local businesses and nonprofits can benefit from this historic event,” she said. “This outpouring of energy shows the impact this event will have on our region.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest global event in history. The expansion to a 48-team format will create immense opportunities for host cities, businesses, and communities.
New Jersey, of course, will be in the center of it all.
Eight games, including the final, will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. In the South Jersey region, Philadelphia will host six games – including one scheduled for July 4, 2026, the nation’s 250th birthday.
The schedule makes the state a central hub of activity for fans, teams, and media. And with billions expected in revenue, viewership, and participation, the scale of this event demands extensive preparation and adaptability, the creators of the guide said.
“New Jersey’s role as a host state will attract millions of fans, creating opportunities for both large and small-scale ventures,” Charters said.
Some have estimated that the World Cup will have a $3 billion economic impact on the region.
The reference guide should be seen as another signal to start preparing – now, the creators said.
De La Hoz, Penaranda and Charters said the goal is to get local businesses and communities to think about all of the possibilities – and all of the logistics, rules and regulations that will come with them.
The tournament soon will be here, they said.
“While the excitement for the event will bid as it draws closer, this is not something that businesses and communities can wait until the last minute to create a plan,” De La Hoz said. “Now is the time to being preparations. We’re hoping this guide will be a way to start the process.”
LaRusso said more information is coming.
“The NYNJ Host Committee is diligently developing official guidelines and a toolkit to support local businesses and organizations,” she said. “This toolkit will include valuable insights and creative ideas from our team, aimed at maximizing the event’s potential by leveraging local strengths, fostering collaboration, and creating unique engagement opportunities.
“The guidelines will also incorporate FIFA’s forthcoming requirements and processes for hosting public viewing parties, which we are currently awaiting.”
Once they arrive, expect even more outreach.
“Our primary objective is to equip communities across NYNJ with the tools and inspiration they need to actively participate and feel a genuine sense of ownership and involvement in this truly special event,” LaRusso said.
