Hochul ‘very confident’ in security measures ahead of World Cup Final

Sports & Gaming Hochul ‘very confident’ in security measures ahead of World Cup Final Comments: by Tara Suter - 07/19/26 2:48 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Tara Suter - 07/19/26 2:48 PM ET Comments: Link copied

NOW PLAYING

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said Sunday that she is “very confident” in security measures ahead of Sunday’s World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain.

“We’ve worked so close with our federal, state and local partners in law enforcement. We have been preparing for this for literally over a year, over 1,000 exercises, tabletopping all the scenarios,” Hochul told CBS News’s Margaret Brennan on “Face the Nation.”

“So, we’re with the best, and particularly with NYPD, the — the world’s greatest police force, I feel very confident in our security, and we’re so happy to welcome the eyes of the world. The entire planet is going to be watching what is happening right here in the New York City area. So, it’s exciting, very exciting time for us,” she added.

Sunday’s game between Spain and Argentina is taking place at 3:00 p.m. EDT at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, capping off weeks of competition in this year’s World Cup, which took place in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.

President Trump is expected to attend the final, alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, according to a press release translated from Spanish by Google Translate.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D), Hochul’s neighbor to the south, said in a post on the social platform X Sunday that “all eyes will be on New Jersey today as Spain and Argentina meet in the FIFA World Cup Final.”

“Fans traveling to the stadium should leave extra time, arrive early, and take NJ TRANSIT for the easiest trip to and from the match,” the governor advised.