Pou Warns of World Cup Travel Bottlenecks Near MetLife Stadium

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Nellie Pou (D-NJ-09), Vice Ranking Member of the House Aviation Subcommittee and Ranking Member of Congress's World Cup Security Task Force, is calling on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to prevent potential air travel bottlenecks near MetLife Stadium ahead of the FIFA World Cup by increasing customs staffing and expanding international passenger processing capabilities at Teterboro Airport.

In a letter to CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott, Pou raised concerns that Teterboro's limited customs processing capacity could create delays and congestion as international travel surges during the tournament. She also urged the agency to reject any proposal that would reduce or eliminate international travel and processing at Newark Liberty International Airport, warning that such a move could worsen congestion throughout the region.

"With less than one week until the first World Cup match in the United States, it is critical that federal agencies take every reasonable step to ensure both the safety and efficient movement of international visitors. In addition to rejecting any proposal to divert international travel away from Newark Airport, I urge your agency to work with Teterboro Airport, the Port Authority, and other stakeholders to strengthen processing capacity and operational readiness," writes Congresswoman Pou.

Congresswoman Pou's district will host multiple FIFA World Cup matches, including the championship game. As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee and the top Democrat on the Task Force overseeing World Cup preparation and security, Congresswoman Pou has repeatedly raised concerns about America's readiness to host the world's biggest sporting event.

Pou's advocacy was instrumental in forcing the Department of Homeland Security to finally release $625 million in federal security money that was being held back from World Cup host cities. Additionally, during the FY 2026 appropriations process, Pou helped secure federal funding to reimburse public transportation agencies for costs related to FIFA World Cup 2026 matches and other tournament events.

The text of the Congresswoman's letter is below.

Dear Commissioner Scott:

I write regarding the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's preparedness for the increase in domestic and international air travel expected during the FIFA World Cup. Business aviation and reliever airports will play an important role in transporting teams, officials, sponsors, and visitors. Accordingly, airports in or around host cities must have resources necessary to screen and process travelers entering the United States.

As you know, the New Jersey-New York region has the busiest and most complex airspace in the country and will serve as a major gateway for World Cup visitors. MetLife Stadium, located in East Rutherford and New Jersey's Ninth Congressional District, will host eight World Cup matches, including the championship final, and is expected to draw more than a million visitors to North Jersey. New Jersey's Ninth District is also home to Teterboro Airport, located just four miles from MetLife Stadium. As a major reliever airport for the region, Teterboro will play a critical role in accommodating international business aviation traffic, including sponsors, officials, dignitaries, and other visitors. While the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and airport stakeholders have undertaken extensive preparations for the tournament, concerns remain that Teterboro's limited customs and security processing capacity could create significant congestion and delays.

International arrivals at Teterboro Airport are currently limited to designated locations on the airfield where customs and security processing services are available. After clearing customs, aircraft must taxi back across the airfield to their fixed base operator, creating bottlenecks on taxiways and ramps and delaying arrivals and departures. These operational constraints are likely to become more pronounced as international traffic increases during the World Cup.

Expanding customs officers staffing levels and ensuring adequate personnel coverage at Teterboro would help address these challenges. Additional improvements could include expanding the use of mobile or remote processing capabilities across the airfield and coordinating closely with airport stakeholders on operational planning and contingency measures to support safe and efficient aircraft movement. These steps would help reduce congestion, limit diversions to surrounding airports, and improve the flow of international arrivals during the tournament.

At the same time, reports of a proposal to remove international processing capabilities from Newark Liberty International Airport and divert that travel elsewhere are deeply concerning. Such a move would increase congestion throughout the region, create operational challenges at surrounding airports, and undermine efforts to efficiently process international visitors ahead of the World Cup. CBP should reject this proposal and instead ensure that airports throughout the region have the resources necessary to handle increased travel demand.

With less than one week until the first World Cup match in the United States, it is critical that federal agencies take every reasonable step to ensure both the safety and efficient movement of international visitors. In addition to rejecting any proposal to divert international travel away from Newark Airport, I urge your agency to work with Teterboro Airport, the Port Authority, and other stakeholders to strengthen processing capacity and operational readiness by taking the following steps:

1. Increase customs staffing levels at Teterboro Airport, as needed in coordination with airport officials and the Port Authority, to meet projected international arrival demand;
2. Expand the use of mobile or remote clearing capabilities across the airfield;
3. Coordinate with airport stakeholders on operational planning; and
4. Develop contingency plans to maintain safe and efficient aircraft movement.

Thank you for your attention to this time-sensitive matter. I request an update on CBP's plans to manage increased international traffic at Teterboro Airport before the first World Cup match.

Sincerely,

Nellie Pou

Member of Congress

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