On Sunday, July 5, at 4:00 PM, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey hosts the Brazil – Norway Round of 16 match, and on July 19, the tournament’s grand final will take place there. Poland will not play in this World Cup – and that’s precisely why you can cheer without nerves.
For the Polish community in New York and New Jersey, this is a unique situation: the world’s biggest football event is happening literally around the corner. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, just a few minutes from Manhattan, already hosted teams like France, Germany, England, and Senegal during the group stage. Now we are entering the decisive knockout phase.
The Championships are here – though without the White-Reds
Let’s start with what hurts. The Polish national team did not qualify. In qualifying Group G, they finished second behind the Netherlands, and in the play-offs – after a good match against Albania (2:1, with a goal from Robert Lewandowski and a winning strike from Piotr Zieliński) – on March 31, they lost the play-off final to Sweden 3:2. This closed their path to the tournament.
However, there is a silver lining. Since we are not playing for everything, you can watch the World Cup in a relaxed manner – choose a team to support, appreciate the play of the best, and simply experience a great football celebration, which this time happens to be in our backyard.
Sunday at MetLife: Round of 16 Brazil – Norway
On Sunday, July 5, at 4:00 PM, Brazil and Norway will play at MetLife. This is a Round of 16 match, meaning any loss at this stage means bidding farewell to the tournament. On one side, five-time world champions and the football magic of the “Canarinhos,” on the other – a surging Norway, which has done more in this World Cup than many expected.
For local residents, this is an opportunity to see world-class football without flying halfway across the globe. However, tickets for the knockout stage matches are expensive and sell out quickly – if someone plans to enter the stands, it’s worth checking official FIFA sales channels and verified platforms, avoiding scammers.
Grand Final on July 19 – in our backyard
The true peak is still ahead. MetLife Stadium was chosen to host the 2026 World Cup final, scheduled for July 19. The match for the golden trophy right near New York is an event the region hasn’t seen in decades – and a topic we will return to in a separate, practical guide closer to the date.
Where and how to experience the World Cup in the NY/NJ area
You don’t need a stadium ticket to feel the atmosphere. In New York and New Jersey, many sports bars and restaurants show the matches, and for big games, fan zones with large-screen broadcasts are organized. This is a good opportunity to meet friends, and often fans from all over the world, whom the tournament has drawn to the metropolis.
Verified Polish-American bars and restaurants where you can watch the match in good company can be found in the directory on PolishPages.com.
In short – even without Poland in the game, the 2026 World Cup is our event. It’s rare for a World Cup final to take place a stone’s throw from Polish-American neighborhoods. It’s worth experiencing.
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Author: Arthur Skok · Poland.us / Głos Polonii · July 5, 2026
