“When the World Arrives, We Are Ready”: Mamdani, Hochul Outline World Cup Preparations in New York

New York City and New York State officials on Thursday outlined a sweeping, multi-agency plan to manage transportation, public safety, and emergency response during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as the region prepares to host millions of visitors for the global tournament.

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Gov. Kathy Hochul said agencies have spent months coordinating to ensure the city remains safe and functional throughout the event, with additional public safety details expected next week.

“We have spent months coordinating, drilling, and preparing so that when the world arrives at our doorstep, we are ready,” Mamdani said during a briefing.

The plan centers on keeping the city moving while minimizing disruptions, with officials urging residents and visitors to rely on public transportation. New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for emergency alerts by texting “SUMMER26” to 692-692.

Transportation Plan

City and state agencies are coordinating with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), NJ Transit, and the Port Authority to manage travel to and from matches, including the use of designated corridors in Midtown Manhattan.

On match days, sections of 42nd Street, Fifth Avenue, Sixth Avenue, and nearby cross streets will be restricted to shuttle buses, local buses, official tournament vehicles, and emergency responders. The restrictions will be in place beginning six hours before kickoff until three hours after matches end.

Each match day will be designated a “Gridlock Alert Day,” with officials discouraging unnecessary driving and limiting truck deliveries in Midtown during peak periods.

The city’s Department of Transportation will deploy more than 100 staff members to manage traffic, adjust signal timing, and guide the public.

The MTA said it will run full service across subways and commuter rails, with additional trains on key lines—including the 1, C, and F—to accommodate increased demand. Extra service will also run on the 7 line to support access to the Fan Zone in Queens.

Emergency and Health Preparedness

NYC Emergency Management has activated a citywide coordination structure, including its Emergency Operations Center, to respond to potential incidents such as extreme heat or severe weather.

The system integrates city, state, federal, and private partners, building on protocols used for major events such as New Year’s Eve in Times Square.

Officials said a Joint Information Center will provide multilingual updates, while Notify NYC will serve as the primary public alert system.

Health agencies, including the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and NYC Health + Hospitals, have conducted extensive drills to prepare for surges in medical demand. Eleven public hospitals will serve as cooling centers during extreme heat emergencies.

Emergency medical services will deploy additional personnel, with support requested from New York State, while the Fire Department will position specialized units across the city.

Regional Coordination

Officials emphasized that planning has involved years of coordination across New York and New Jersey, with support from the NYNJ Host Committee.

“This level of preparation doesn’t happen overnight,” said Alex Lasry, CEO of the host committee. “It is the result of years of collaboration among transportation agencies, public safety officials, and government partners.”

Hochul said the state’s transit system is prepared to handle both daily commuters and international visitors.

“The World Cup will be a once-in-a-generation event for our state,” she said. “Whether you’re traveling from Brazil or Bed-Stuy, we have a plan to get you to where you need to go safely.”

Officials said sanitation, taxi enforcement, and public health monitoring will also be expanded throughout the tournament as the city prepares to host one of the largest sporting events in the world.