By Gus Penaranda

In 129 days, more than one million people from around the world will descend on New Jersey for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the first time in history, the tournament will be hosted by **three countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—**and expanded to include 16 additional teams.

The financial projections are staggering. Conservative estimates place regional economic impact at $3–4 billion. Global corporations like Coca-Cola, Bank of America, and other FIFA partners are expected to earn hundreds of millions of dollars in profit.

But there is one question no one has been able—or willing—to answer:

How much of that money is actually going to New Jersey’s small businesses?

Jersey City: Ground Zero

Jersey City will host the FIFA Fan Festival at Liberty State Park for 39 consecutive days, screening all 104 matches (with paid entry). Hundreds of thousands of visitors will pass through every ward of Jersey City to reach the site.

For the past two months, hundreds—possibly thousands—of New Jersey small businesses have applied through the Levy vendor portal, which advertises opportunities to participate in the Fan Festival. Yet two months later, many local businesses report receiving no acknowledgment, no update, and no response.

At the same time, we know major corporate partners have already secured contracts—they are actively using the FIFA brand in their marketing and advertising.

So the question becomes unavoidable:

· Have any New Jersey small businesses been awarded contracts?

· If so, which ones?

· What is the value of those contracts?

· When were they issued?

· And why is there no public transparency around this process?

Can FIFA or the NY/NJ Host Committee provide New Jersey residents with a list of local small businesses that have already been selected?

Taxpayers Carry the Cost

New Jersey taxpayers have already contributed an estimated $100 million toward World Cup planning and infrastructure. And long after the final whistle blows, it will be New Jersey residents who absorb the real costs:

· Overtime for police, traffic officers, and sanitation

· Increased security expenses

· Garbage and sanitation strain

· Transit congestion and delayed emergency response times

· Displacement of residents

· Neighborhood disruption from short-term rentals

· Increases in human trafficking and related public-safety concerns

While Jersey City will feel the impact first, it will not be alone. Newark, Harrison, Morristown, and multiple other municipalities will experience the ripple effects.

Time Is the One Thing We Don’t Have

Governor-elect Sherrill’s first 100 days is a reasonable benchmark—in normal circumstances.

These are not normal circumstances.

· 152 days until the 250th Anniversary of the United States

· 129 days until the World Cup begins in Mexico

· 98 days until national teams and staff begin arriving in New Jersey

· 90 days until Liberty State Park begins shutting down for FIFA Fan Fest construction

The event is coming whether New Jersey small businesses are ready or not.

As of today, there is still no clear answer to the most basic question:

What about New Jersey’s small businesses?

If this World Cup is truly meant to benefit the state, then transparency, inclusion, and immediate action are not optional, they are urgent. Waiting is no longer a strategy. It is a decision. And it is one New Jersey small businesses cannot afford. Gov. Sherrill, create the 2026 Small Business World Cup Commission today.