Spectators at the New York New Jersey Stadium are enduring two-hour waits to enter the venue as heightened security protocols are in place for the 2026 World Cup final. The match between Spain and Argentina, which holds a capacity of 82,500, is scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time.
The intensified security measures are largely due to the presence of United States President Donald Trump, who is attending his only World Cup match of the tournament. The Secret Service has assumed control of site security, collaborating with the Transportation Security Administration to implement airport-style screening procedures for both attendees and the media.
Volunteers have reported an unprecedented volume of early arrivals compared to the stadium’s seven previous matches. Although some attendees have faced logistical issues, including redirected queues due to a shortage of security dogs, organizers do not anticipate any delay to the scheduled kick-off time. Despite the congestion, authorities have intermittently opened additional entry points to manage the flow of crowds.
