This is the Montclair Pod’s running recap of World Cup matches at New York New Jersey Stadium — eight games, 12 miles from Montclair, running through the Final on July 19. We update after each match with what happened, how the region handled it, and what’s coming next. France beat Senegal 3-1 Tuesday at MetLife, with Mbappe breaking France’s all-time scoring record. Full stats here.
The transit situation is getting worse for commuters, not better
Tuesday told two different stories depending on who you were. For fans, the France-Senegal match day was mostly smooth by World Cup standards. For regular commuters, it was rougher. For four hours before the match, the NJ Transit areas of Penn Station were reserved exclusively for World Cup-bound riders. Regular commuters looking to get home were directed to take PATH and transfer at Newark. That’s the planned policy — announced months ago — but not everyone got the memo. Then, separately, an Amtrak switch issue near Secaucus caused up to 30-minute delays after the match, with some lines terminating at Newark Penn Station rather than reaching Manhattan.
Monday’s match kicks off at 8 p.m., so the pre-match Penn Station restrictions will run through the evening rush. Plan accordingly. If you’re commuting home Monday and not going to the game, PATH from 33rd Street is your most reliable option.
NJ Transit is offering a 5% discount on weekly rail passes for the weeks of June 22 and 29, and a 20% discount on individual one-way tickets purchased between June 21 and 30 for riders with New York as an origin or destination. Details and promo codes at njtworldcup.com/commuters.
This weekend: where to watch locally
No match at MetLife this weekend, but there’s plenty happening nearby.
Lackawanna Station’s Summer of Soccer is ongoing through July 19 — worth heading down this weekend for the matches.
The Sports Illustrated Stadium Fan Hub in Harrison has free all-day watch parties both days. Saturday runs from noon to 10:30 p.m. with three matches — Netherlands vs. Sweden at 1 p.m., Germany vs. Cote d’Ivoire at 4 p.m., and Ecuador vs. Curacao at 8 p.m. Sunday is a shorter window, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for Spain vs. Saudi Arabia at noon. Free tickets at the links above, first-come first-served on the floor and 100-level seats.
Hudson County’s Flag Cities Festival has a free event Sunday at Laurel Hill Park in Secaucus from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with live match viewing, food trucks, soccer clinics and music. More at visithudson.org/fifa-2026.
Jersey City is hosting a multicultural community watch party Sunday at Bergen Square from 6 to 11 p.m.
Monday’s match: Norway vs. Senegal, 8 p.m. ET
Norway arrives riding a 4-1 opening win over Iraq, with Haaland scoring twice. Senegal lost 3-1 to France but showed enough in the first half to create problems. Norway is back at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years; Senegal is aiming to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002. Both teams need a result to stay on track for the knockout round.
Monday’s evening kickoff is the one to watch on the transit front — if Saturday and Tuesday are any indication, plan your commute home accordingly. Watch on FOX or stream on Peacock.
For the full breakdown on the World Cup, see our complete guide in New Jersey.
