Topline
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill’s office is seeking a portion of the revenue from FIFA’s plan to sell patches of grass from the World Cup final field, Politico reports, as the organization aims to generate over $11 million from the sales.
A general view during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Germany at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 25, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Photo by Liao Pan/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images
Key Facts
Sean Higgins, a spokesperson for Sherrill, told Politico that New Jersey covered the vast majority of the pitch expenses at MetLife Stadium, arguing that state taxpayers should share in any proceeds from what he characterized as a “money grab.”
MetLife Stadium in New Jersey is scheduled to host a World Cup match on July 19 featuring Spain against either England or Argentina.
According to multiple outlets, FIFA is selling small sections of the field grass for $450 each, with three premium tiers priced at $900, $1,200, and $3,000.
Should New Jersey and FIFA reach an agreement, the mechanism for distributing proceeds to state taxpayers remains unclear.
What Exactly Do the Grass Patches Include?
The $450, $900, and $1,200 tiers each include a 2.5-inch cube of grass, though the specific distinctions between these tiers remain unclear; they may correspond to sections from the goal area, penalty spot, or center circle. The $3,000 tier offers a larger 3-inch cube, a gold-etched metal souvenir ticket, a miniature replica World Cup final ball, and a crystal-cut glass World Cup trophy. The Athletic estimates FIFA could generate $11.2 million if all pieces sell out.
Key Background
FIFA has previously sold grass patches, offering sections from the Club World Cup final between Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain last year encased in glass cubes. The World Cup final grass patches are among several premium items FIFA is marketing for the tournament, including limited-edition host city jerseys priced at $375 each. While tournament tickets have commanded historically high prices, some matches—such as the quarterfinal between Belgium and Spain—have seen significant price drops on the secondary market. As of Tuesday, secondary market tickets for the World Cup final start at $7,443, according to TickPick.
