New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Wednesday joined U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer in calling on FIFA to contribute toward World Cup transit security costs.

MetLife Stadium will host eight World Cup games, including the tournament final. The Athletic reported earlier this week that NJ Transit is considering charging $100 for train tickets to shuttle fans between New York Penn Station and the stadium. Standard fare is $12.90.

Parking will be restricted at the Meadowlands stadium complex compared to NFL games — making public transport one of the only options to attend World Cup matches, which get underway June 11.

“We inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup,” Sherrill said on X. “And while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48 million bill to safely get fans to and from games, FIFA is making $11 billion. I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come.

“FIFA should pay for the rides. But if they don’t — I’m not going to let New Jersey get taken for one.”

Speaking on WNYC on Wednesday, Sherrill said she would approve the fare increase if FIFA doesn’t step in.

“I will, if that’s what it takes, because I’m not putting this on the back of New Jerseyans,” she said.

On Wednesday, NJ Transit’s board of directors unanimously approved a resolution to set transport prices to “cover any and all costs” to transport fans and comply with Sherrill’s directive.

NJ Transit CEO Kris Kolluri on Wednesday said he supported Sherrill’s plea to FIFA and confirmed that commuters would not pay extra costs, according to NJ.com.

“The governor said whatever the fare will be, it will not be cross subsidized by our regular commuters. I’d think every NJ Transit customer would stand behind that,” Kolluri told NJ.com. “It will cost us $48 million. We will charge FIFA fans for those tickets, and it will not be subsidized by our commuters.”

Schumer on Monday said FIFA should be helping pay for World Cup transit security costs.

“FIFA is set to reap nearly $11 billion from this summer’s World Cup, yet New York area commuters and residents are being handed the bill,” Schumer wrote on X. “The least FIFA can do is ensure New York residents can go to the stadium without being gouged at the turnstile. I am demanding FIFA step up.”

We inherited an agreement where FIFA is providing $0 for transportation to the World Cup.

And while NJ TRANSIT is stuck with a $48 million bill to safely get fans to and from games, FIFA is making $11 billion.

I’m not going to stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years… pic.twitter.com/pugU8davkW

— Governor Mikie Sherrill (@GovSherrillNJ) April 15, 2026

Earlier this month, New Jersey’s host travel committee released a detailed plan for transport and parking during the matches, outlining a park-and-ride plan with specific parking lots and shuttle buses that will run to and from the stadium.

“While rideshare and limited premium parking options will be available, the FIFA World Cup at NYNJ Stadium will be a public transportation first event, largely relying on NJ Transit rail and Host Committee bus shuttles,” Natalie Hamilton, a host committee spokesperson, told NJ.com.

“We are strongly encouraging all ticket holders to utilize expanded NJ Transit rail service and the Host Committee’s Stadium Shuttle.”

A FIFA spokesperson insisted the host city had previously agreed to provide free or at-cost transportation to fans at all matches.

“We are quite surprised by the NJ governor’s approach on fan transportation,” FIFA said in a statement Wednesday.

“The original FIFA World Cup 2026 host city agreements signed in 2018 required free transportation for fans to all matches. Recognizing the financial strain this placed on the host cities, back in 2023 FIFA adjusted the host agreement requirements across all host cities as follows: All match ticket holders and accredited individuals shall be able to access transport [public or additionally planned transport] at cost to allow travel to stadiums on match days.

“Moreover, FIFA has worked for years with host cities on their transportation and mobility plans, including advocating for millions of dollars in federal funding to support host cities for transportation.

“The FIFA World Cup will bring millions of fans to North America along with the related economic impact. Many of these fans will travel to NYNJ to enjoy the eight matches scheduled, including the FIFA World Cup final.

“FIFA is not aware of any other major event previously held at NYNJ Stadium, including other major sports, global concert tours, etc, where organizers were required to pay for fan transportation.”

During the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, ticket holders enjoyed free transport on the city’s Metro system, funded by the country’s government.

UEFA bore the cost of ticket holders using German public transport in host cities on match days during Euro 2024.

Kansas City, where England’s training camp will be based, will offer free bus travel for fans from the airport close to the Fan Festival in the city center, and daily, weekly and tournament passes for unlimited regional travel costing $5.25 and $50, respectively.

Ticket holders will also be able to use a Stadium Direct service, which connects four park and ride locations as well as the Fan Festival to the Arrowhead Stadium for $15 per person, the host city committee said.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) said that there will be no fare increases connected to the staging of World Cup matches in Philadelphia.

The spokesperson said most if not all of the added operating costs of running the services during the World Cup would be covered by a recently awarded federal grant.

Information from Press Association and The Associated Press was used in this report.

The Baltimore Orioles fell victim to an accidental challenge.

In the second inning of the Orioles’ 8-5 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday, third baseman Coby Mayo was forced to challenge a pitch he didn’t want to.

Mayo took a 3-0 pitch from Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodríguez on the outside and began walking toward first base, thinking he had a walk. Instead home plate umpire John Tumpane called it a strike.

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Mayo expressed his displeasure with the call and raised his right hand toward his helmet, but did not tap his head, as he did not want to challenge the pitch. Tumpane thought he did indeed challenge the pitch and initiated a review.

The call was confirmed to be a strike as Mayo argued he did not challenge the call. The Orioles ended up losing the challenge, one of their two on the day. A replay confirmed that Mayo never actually touched his head.

ASTROS’ $54M PITCHER BLAMES ARM FATIGUE ON STRUGGLE TO ADJUST TO AMERICAN LIFESTYLE

Baltimore Orioles’ Coby Mayo celebrates hitting a double during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore, Maryland. April 15, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)

Mayo, however, still had a successful at-bat. On the ensuing 3-1 pitch, Mayo ripped a 91-mph fastball down the left-field line for a double and ended up scoring the game’s first run.

Mayo’s unintentional challenge is one of a few that have occurred so far this season. Last week, Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Nick Gonzales challenged a pitch but immediately tried to reverse his decision, as the team only had one challenge left.

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Baltimore Orioles’ Coby Mayo celebrates with Blaze Alexander after scoring on an RBI hit by Sam Huff during the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Baltimore, Maryland. April 15, 2026. (Stephanie Scarbrough/AP Photo)

Gonzales ended up winning the challenge, and the Pirates retained their last challenge.

Mayo and the Orioles (9-9) will hope they don’t have any more ABS snafus when they play the Cleveland Guardians (10-9) on Thursday at 6:10 p.m. ET.

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KARACHI: In the evolving landscape of Pakistan women’s football, diaspora talent is playing an increasingly important role, and few embody that shift more clearly than Layla Banaras.

Born in Birmingham in 2006 to a Pakistani father and English mother, Banaras has already carved out a professional pathway in English football while simultaneously becoming an important part of Pakistan’s national team setup. 

A midfielder for FA Women’s National League South club Lewes, she represents a growing generation of British South Asian women breaking into elite football environments.

Her journey is not just about football development; it is also about identity, belonging, and opportunity across two cultures.

“It’s like two different worlds coming together, so it has really taught me a lot about myself and about the world, really, and I think I’m so grateful that I was brought up in that sort of household.”

That dual identity has helped shape her outlook, both as a player and as a person navigating the demands of professional sport.

Like many footballers, Banaras’ earliest steps came far away from stadium lights.

“I got introduced to football through, obviously, my brother, my cousins, my family. We always used to play in the garden, so that’s what sort of, you know, pushed me to play football, sort of.”

That informal beginning eventually turned into a historic rise through English football. In January 2023, she made history as the first South Asian heritage woman to appear for Birmingham City in the professional era, debuting in an FA Cup match against Huddersfield Town. Later, she joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on dual registration before moving to Lewes in 2025.

Now firmly established in the English system, Banaras continues to grow as a player in a highly competitive environment while balancing her international commitments with Pakistan.

Her decision to represent Pakistan came at a defining stage in her career“I think for me it was the right time in my career and my life to sort of take that next step to play international football and to represent Pakistan means so much, so I thought when they came, and they offered, I thought, why not, like just do it, and it’s been a dream so far.”

That choice has added a new layer to her football journey, one that connects her to her roots while testing her at the international level.

Like many players of her generation, Banaras grew up watching some of football’s biggest names“I used to watch clips of Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, Ronaldinho, just all these legends really, and I think they really helped me develop my game and really inspire me.”

Since joining the national setup, Banaras has quickly adapted to international football. In Pakistan’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup qualification campaign in Jakarta, she made an immediate impact from defence, registering assists in key matches against Indonesia and Kyrgyzstan.

Her performances reflect both technical ability and game intelligence, rare qualities for a young footballer adjusting to international demands.

Banaras also highlighted the importance of international exposure in shaping team unity and development“I think the experience in West Africa has been amazing,” she said about the Pakistan team’s tour to the Ivory Coast.

“The hosts have been so welcoming, the people are really lovely, and it’s a really nice place, and I think we’ve really been able to bond here.”

Facing different styles of opposition has also given her a clearer understanding of where the team needs to improve.

“Obviously, the physical side is really big, and it’s shown us that we need to probably work more in the gym, but I think, to be honest, the playing style is quite similar, but I think it’s just the physical aspect of the game, and I think everything else we do really matches in West Africa.”

Despite challenges, Banaras remains confident in Pakistan’s ability to compete on the international stage.

“I think we’re really excited. We’re the underdogs. And I think we’re really excited to go and show a world-class team what we can do and compete against them,” she said.

Beyond her playing career, Banaras has also contributed to athlete welfare and nutrition awareness.

As a teenager, she worked with Birmingham City’s nutrition staff to create Ramadan-specific performance guidance for fasting athletes.

For now, her focus remains split between club football in England and international duty with Pakistan.

“At club level, I’m not sure. When I go back, I’ve still got a week left of the season. So we’ll see what happens in pre-season. And with the national team, I just want to continue to help it grow football to grow in Pakistan and for us to keep showing the world what we can do.”

Layla Banaras represents more than a footballer moving through two systems. She stands at the intersection of English development structures and Pakistan’s emerging football ambitions, a bridge between established professionalism and growing potential.

For Pakistan women’s football, she is not just a member of the squad. She is part of a longer project: building belief, experience, and identity on the international stage.