New Jersey First Lady joins NY/NJ host committee for 2026 World Cup: ‘This is a big deal for our region'
With 523 days to go until the men's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, the New York New Jersey host committee has added two high-profile names to its roster: New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy and former Milwaukee Bucks' executive Alex Lasry.
Murphy, 59, was named chair of the host committee's board of directors, while Lasry, 37, will serve as the host committee's CEO, the group said Tuesday morning. The additions come as the group shifts from 'planning mode to execution mode,' as described in its announcement.
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'We are incredibly excited here in the New York/New Jersey area, not only because we have eight games, but, obviously, because we have the final,' Murphy said in an interview with The Athletic on Monday. 'This is a big deal for our region in terms of economic benefit, in terms of tourism, in terms of just elevating and bringing the biggest sporting event ever, in the history of the planet Earth, to our region.'
Planning for the World Cup has been underway for years, with FIFA awarding the tournament to co-hosts the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2018. Last year, the sport's global governing body announced MetLife Stadium would also host the World Cup final, after a close race with Texas' AT&T Stadium.
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That announcement revved up planning in New Jersey and New York, which has been led by co-host city managers Lauren LaRusso and Bruce Revman, who have been the face of the host committee since it formed in 2023. The pair 'really set the stage and set the table for where we are today,' said Lasry, who will now oversee the host committee's day-to-day.
'Now, it's (about) taking it into the next phase and the next evolution for this final 500-day sprint,' Lasry said, 'and making sure that we're getting all of the interest that's clearly there on board, finalizing those partners, and making sure that we're setting the stage for and executing on the vision that FIFA has, and on the vision that Tammy and the Governor, as well as (New York City) Mayor (Eric) Adams, have for this big event.'
The committee has estimated that the World Cup will bring in more than $2 billion in revenue and a million visitors to the New Jersey and New York region. However, host cities are tasked with covering nearly all expenses for staging the World Cup. That includes organizing fan festivals, securing practice facilities, hotels, transportation, public safety and other critical infrastructure. Cities are also required to meet the rigorous standards set by FIFA, which, for example, may require a host to invest millions in things like stadium upgrades or developing the grass used for games.
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While some expenses are covered by public dollars, it is up to host committees to raise funds that will cover the remaining balances. That is where fundraising and sponsorships will play a big role.
Together, Murphy and Lasry bring a wealth of connections to the group, both politically and in sports.
'I've been involved since day one,' Murphy said of the World Cup process. 'I might not have been the public face for this, but I have absolutely been part of pitches, been part of (the) thinking behind planning, strategizing and, someday down the road, we'll talk about the World Cup final.'
Murphy is married to NJ Gov. Phil Murphy, who assumed office in 2018, just five months before FIFA awarded the 2026 tournament to North America. While the Democrat's second term expires at the beginning of 2026, Murphy's appointment as chair assures that New Jersey's first family will remain closely linked to the world's biggest sporting event when it comes to the Garden State next year.
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The Murphys are also founding owners of NJ/NY Gotham FC in the NWSL, with Tammy serving as the club's board chair. For the family, 'soccer is in our bloodstream,' she said.
'It's not only just having a rich soccer knowledge ingrained in me, but I think it's having knowledge and a huge network of people,' Murphy said. 'I know a good chunk of the people who are engaged in the sport and in other sports. At this point in time, if I have a question or if I have a concern, it's easy to pick up the phone and ask someone for guidance. That's probably the biggest opportunity or advantage.'
As chair of the five-person board, Murphy will focus on overseeing the host committee's planning and preparations. She will also engage individuals to 'support' the committee's mission, likely by way of fundraising. All board members are volunteers, the host committee said.
Lasry, who led an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin in 2022, has deep ties to government and politics. He most recently served as deputy assistant secretary for travel and tourism at the U.S. Department of Commerce, ending his two-year stint at the department in January. While there, though, he worked closely with their department's World Cup portfolio. Lasry was also a long-time executive at the NBA's Milwaukee Bucks, which was co-owned by his father, the billionaire Marc Lasry, who sold his 25 per cent stake in the team in 2023. Last year, the businessman considered buying a controlling stake in the NWSL's North Carolina Courage, valued at $108 million.
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While at the Bucks, Alex Lasry says he learned the intricacies of running a team while managing close ties with city and state partners. 'There's nothing like the World Cup,' he said, 'but having experience in raising money for events like this and putting together those kinds of partnership packages and having a good understanding of how sports and entertainment operate, I think gives me the right experience to be able to come on and take this to the next step.'
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That next step includes a dry run for the host city with the Club World Cup coming to New Jersey this summer. MetLife Stadium will host eight games, including a quarterfinal match, both semifinal games and the final.
'We are incredibly fortunate, because it's a little bit like having a dry run at what we're going to be doing next year,' Murphy said. 'The fact that the entire final week is going to be in in New York/New Jersey is just going to give us that much of a chance to be up and running, check all of our logistics, our transportation, and really make sure that if there are any issues, that we're ready to roll next year.'
'The Club World Cup is just another chance for us to show how important soccer is to the New York/New Jersey region,' Lasry added, 'and to show our partners how exciting the World Cup is going to be.'
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After Copa América chaos, will Club World Cup and 2026 World Cup be safe? Inside the security challenge
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