NY, New Jersey launch 2026 FIFA WC official brand, logo

The official brand and logo for 2026 FIFA World Cup were launched in Times Square of New York City on Thursday morning, reported Xinhua.

Officials from New York and New Jersey and scores of football fans joined the kickoff ceremony.

"I want to give FIFA a big thank you for bringing the World Cup back to New Jersey and New York. From the very beginning, our region has been at the heart of American soccer. We're ready for the world's biggest event," said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

"New Yorkers can't wait to welcome fans from across the globe to our city to experience our world class sights, bright lights, and our unique, diverse culture," said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

The newly unveiled New York/New Jersey 2026 official logo was displayed on billboards in Times Square, and the iconic New Year's Eve "time ball" displayed a countdown to 2026.

Landmarks in the New York metropolitan area would be lit up in green on Thursday evening, according to a release by the organizer of the ceremony.

It's "super exciting" that soccer finally comes home and "we get to show the world that soccer is prominent, that football is prominent here. Hopefully people come and feel like home," said Yaliz Campos, a fan who provides free soccer programs for kids in New York City.

Soccer is already getting big in the United States and the World Cup will offer opportunities to kids in New York to experience it, according to Campos.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico with 16 host cities, 48 teams and 104 matches.

In 2022, New York City and New Jersey won in a joint bid to host matches at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.