New Jersey’s public rail system is further dropping its World Cup ​ticket price from an original $150 per ‌round trip to $98, the rail system provider said on Wednesday.

This NJ TRANSIT cut followed ​a reduction to $105 earlier in ​May.

The prices for the trip, which outraged ⁠World Cup fans both in ​the New York City area and from ​overseas, sparked much political comment, from local officials to U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer.

Local ​officials had complained that FIFA was ​going to earn billions from the event, while ‌New ⁠Jersey taxpayers would be footing a huge bill for security, disrupted services and other game-related impacts.

“We were able to ​reduce costs ​while ⁠protecting NJ Transit’s daily customers and commuters from bearing the ​financial burden,” NJ Transit Chair ​Priya ⁠Jain said.

The price drop was possible because of additional advertising revenue, the agency ⁠said.

The ​tournament, co-hosted by the ​U.S., Canada and Mexico, starts on June 11.

-Reuters

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With less than a month to the start of the FIFA World Cup, Morocco have lined up three warm-up matches as new coach Mohamed Ouahbi seeks more time to fine-tune his squad ahead of the global showpiece in the United States.

The North Africans, who stunned the football world by reaching the semi-finals at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, appointed Ouahbi in March following the resignation of Walid Regragui.

Since taking over, Ouahbi has handled only two matches, drawing against Ecuador and defeating Paraguay as he began shaping his team for the tournament.

According to the Moroccan Football Federation, the Atlas Lions will open their preparations with a closed-door friendly against Burundi on May 26 at the team’s training centre in Sale.

They will then face Madagascar on June 2 in Rabat in what is expected to serve as the team’s official send-off before departure for the World Cup.

After arriving in the United States, where Morocco’s base camp will be located in Basking Ridge, the team will conclude their preparations with a clash against Norway on June 7 in New York City.

Reports indicate that Morocco will begin camping on May 22, although the final squad is not expected to be announced until a week later.

Morocco have been drawn in Group C of the World Cup, where they will open their campaign against Brazil on June 13 in New York before taking on Scotland in Boston on June 19. Their final group match will be against Haiti on June 24 in Atlanta.

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As preparations intensify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, health authorities in Toronto are taking a creative approach to public awareness by distributing free football-themed condoms ahead of the tournament.

Toronto Public Health (TPH) announced that it will offer limited-edition condoms inspired by football as part of efforts to promote safer sex during the global football spectacle, which runs from June 11 to July 19 next year.

More than 300,000 visitors are expected in Toronto during the tournament, prompting city officials to combine football excitement with sexual health education through the CondomTO initiative.

The special-edition condoms feature six football-themed designs and slogans, including “Block those shots!”, “What a finish!” and “Peaches & Cream.” One of the designs reportedly displays a peach and eggplant positioned in front of a football goalpost.

According to Toronto Public Health, the condoms and other safer-sex supplies will be available at four TPH-operated sexual health clinics across the city.

Health officials said the initiative is aimed at encouraging responsible sexual behaviour, reducing stigma surrounding sexual health discussions and connecting residents and visitors with available healthcare services.

“Studies show that using a condom every time you have oral, anal or vaginal sex decreases the risk of sexually transmitted and bloodborne infections, HIV and/or unplanned pregnancy,” Toronto Public Health stated on its website.

Canada will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico in the first-ever 48-team edition of the tournament.

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