Phil Murphy

Governor of New Jersey - Lead political champion for MetLife Stadium’s World Cup role

In January 2017 FIFA voted to expand the men’s World Cup from 32 to 48 teams starting in 2026, setting in motion the largest tournament in the competition’s history and a radical shift in its format and economics. In June 2018 the “United 2026” bid from the United States, Canada and Mexico beat Morocco to win hosting rights, promising record revenues and leveraging NFL-scale stadiums across 16 cities. On 5–6 December 2025, FIFA completed the Washington, D.C. draw and released the full 104‑match schedule: Mexico will open at Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026, defending champion Argentina will start against Algeria, the U.S. will open group play against Paraguay, and the final is set for 3 p.m. EDT on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey to deliver prime-time viewing in Europe.

Updated Feb 5

Governor of New Jersey (Democrat) - Signed New Jersey's cellphone ban into law on January 8, 2026

January 2026 accelerated the school cellphone crackdown beyond the four-state January 1st rollout. Within the first three weeks, New Jersey signed a statewide ban (effective 2026-27 school year), Michigan passed legislation through both chambers targeting fall 2026 implementation, and Kansas introduced bipartisan Senate Bill 302 with support from 30 senators. The tally now stands at 37 states plus Washington D.C. with restrictions—up from 35+ just weeks earlier. What started as France's 2018 experiment has become America's fastest education policy shift in a generation, with implementation now reaching critical mass.

Updated Jan 30