FIFA marks countdown to 2026 World Cup final at New York's Grand Central

The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) held a special event at the historic Grand Central Terminal in New York City to celebrate the countdown to the 2026 World Cup final and to showcase the global nature of the tournament, which brings together fans from across continents in a single moment.

FIFA announced that the final match will kick off at 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium, with Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic officiating the game.

The organization also noted that it reprogrammed Grand Central's iconic departure boards to display the match kickoff time in cities representing each of the 48 participating national teams, symbolizing a unified global moment.

FIFA added that the boards featured cities such as Madrid, Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Rabat, Toronto, Port-au-Prince, Auckland, and Mexico City, underscoring the tournament's worldwide reach and its connection to all 211 FIFA member associations.

The symbolism of Grand Central and the trophy display

FIFA chose Grand Central Terminal for its event because of the station's famous clock, which represents time, movement, and connection, and has welcomed millions of travelers and visitors from around the world for over a century.

The event also highlighted the parallels between the terminal and the World Cup final, portraying both as meeting points that unite people and create shared, lasting memories.

The World Cup trophy was displayed inside the terminal during the event, with photos and video footage made available for media use via FIFA's digital platform until Monday, July 20.