England v Panama
FIFA World Cup 2026, Group L
New York - New Jersey Stadium
East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA
27 Jun 26
There was no official programme for FIFA WC 26 but the FA did produce a matchday poster for each game played by the free lions, available on England@England on X
Official FIFA WC Host City Poster
ESTC applications for England's third Group game in New Jersey against Panama were oversubscribed by 1,737. There were 6563 applicants for 4826 tickets in the following categories: 1207 x Cat 1, 1207 x Cat 2, 1780 x Cat 3 and 632 at Cat 4. Luckily I qualified for the lowest category of ticket (Supporter entry/Cat 4) which was $60 (£45). Sue made the cut for (Supporter value/Cat 3) at the inflated price of $220 (£163). in all it was outrageous ticket pricing from FIFA
The New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey, 5 miles west of NYC. The stadium has a capacity of 82,000 and is home to two NFL teams (New York Giants and New York Jets). The MetLife had the honour of hosting 9 WC games, including the one sided final between the winners Spain and Argentina :
13 Jun 26: Brazil 1 Morocco 1 (Group C)
16 Jun 26: France 3 Senegal 1 (Group I)
22 Jun 26: Norway 3 Senegal 2 (Group I)
25 Jun 26: Ecuador 2 Germany 1 (Group E)
26 Jun 26: Norway 1 France 4 (Group I)
27 Jun 26: Panama 0 England 2 (Group L)
30 Jun 26: France 3 Sweden 0 (Rd of 32)
5 Jul 26: Brazil 1 Norway 2 (Rd of 16)
19 Jul 26 Spain 1 v Argentina 0 (Final)
Panama 0 England 2 Highlights
Attendance: 80,663
Elliot Anderson makes the front cover of Free Lions edition 202
On 25 Jun we flew from Boston to Newark with Delta and were in our Airbnb for 1500 hrs
Our digs in Jersey City was full of old world charm in a good neighbourhood
Guided tour
Empty Sky: New Jersey September 11th Memorial
'Empty Sky' is in Liberty State Park, Jersey City. It's located at the mouth of the Hudson River directly across from where the World Trade Centre stood.
'Empty Sky'
The memorial honours the 749 people that lived or had ties to New Jersey who were killed at the WTC
The Manhattan skyline from New Jersey on 25 Jun 26
We head to Grove St in Jersey City
Quite a party zone
Our new local boozer, the McGinley Square Pub
Feeling at home!
Day 2: Statue of Liberty, Katz's and Radio City
The Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal operated between 1892-1954 it was the main passenger terminal for immigrants after landing at Ellis Island
Once the immigrants had been processed through Ellis Island millions took the train from these abandoned platforms to start their lives in America
On the ferry to Liberty Island
Cruising to liberty
The statue of Liberty was a gift from France in 1886 and is inspired by the Roman goddess of liberty. In her right hand she holds a torch and in the left is a tablet inscribed with the date of the US declaration of independence
Crown Reserve tickets must be booked months in advance, as only 500 are available per day due to the statue's extreme popularity
Finally we are inside the statue's crown, having scaled the 162 steps up the narrow helix
A view from the crown to Manhattan
We made it💞
View to Manhattan from the pier at Liberty Island
New York City's # 1 spot for lunch is Katz's
Located on Lower East Sid, Katz's deli is the most famous deli in the world but be prepared to queue around the block
Once inside you get a ticket to place an order with. Take Away or eat in, Sir?
Anyone for a Pastrami Sandwich?
Stacked Pastrami on Rye Bread $28.95) is the most iconic dish served in the Jewish deli. They brew their own house beer and that is pretty good too.
The Human League, Soft Cell and Alison Moyet are sold out at Radio City
This iconic Art Deco masterpiece opened in Dec 1932
William Zorach's 'Spirit of the Dance' first appeared in 1932 but was very controversial. Now it is in the Grand Lounge
Don't you want me baby?
After our bus ride from Newark Penn Station to the MetLife, courtesy of Steve Olcott we arrive with time to spare
Panama fans have taken over the dance floor
Pre-match drinks
The American Dream
Entering the arena
The stadium opened in 2010 replacing the Giants Stadium. The primary tenants are the NFLs' New York Jets and New York Giants but it also hosted the Super Bowl in 2014 and is the venue for the World Cup Final in Jul 26
In 2nd place - Miss Panama 2026
1st Place - Miss England 💫
Entering the Stadium Fan Zone
Miss England on her victory parade
Sweet Caroline
View from my seat in Block 225B
I wonder which of these fans have paid for the $620, $465, and $220 seats. Not me!
It is raining and the ponchos are out!
Lets do this in style England
The Anthems
Rachael nicked my poncho 😇
And we're off
'The Family'
2nd goal goes in💥
Final score
England to my left
England to my right
Wonderwall
The Poncho Queen
Day 4: Sue leaves and Bleecker Street
John's Pizzeria on Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village is one o the most famous Pizzerias in the USA. It is named after John Sasso who took over the business in 1925 after it was founded in 1915. He sold it on to his relatives in 1953
The Pizza is baked in a coal fired oven and has beautiful thin crusts. I had anchovies, capers and olives. My favourite.
John's Pizzeria
The rest of the day was spent with Long Eaton Steve avoiding the crowds on Gay Pride Day
Day 5: Final walk around our NJ neighbourhood
'The Garden State' - Feeding Pennsylvanians in Philadelphia and New Yorkers in NYC
