Germany’s players have stepped in to cover the travel costs of 600 supporters heading to their final World Cup group stage match against Ecuador.
The gesture comes amid widespread criticism of the inflated transport prices that have plagued fans attending matches across the tournament in the United States.
Train tickets from central New York to Met Life Stadium in New Jersey were hiked to $150 for the tournament, having previously been priced at just $12.90 under normal circumstances.
Following significant backlash, those fares were reduced to $98, though many supporters still regard that figure as unreasonably expensive for the short journey.
Shuttle bus fares, which were initially set at $80 for a similar route, have also been cut back to $20 following pressure from fans and officials alike.
The New Jersey governor has pointed to Fifa as the root cause of the problem, saying the governing body refused to subsidise transport expenditure for the competition.
Germany’s players have decided to take matters into their own hands, organising free bus transport for 600 fans making the trip from New York to New Jersey on 25 June.
“In light of the high cost of bus and train travel in New York during the World Cup, the German national team players have organised free transport to the final group match for 600 fans,” said the German FA.
“Captain Joshua Kimmich and his team-mates are covering the cost of buses to take supporters from New York to the arena in New Jersey for the match against Ecuador.”
At previous World Cup tournaments held in Russia and Qatar, free transport was made available to all fans travelling to matches and fan zones throughout the competitions.
The United States had committed to offering the same benefit as part of its original 2018 hosting agreement with football’s world governing body.
However, a revision made to that agreement in 2023 determined that supporters would instead be charged to travel at cost value, removing the free transport provision entirely.
The decision has drawn considerable frustration from fans, many of whom have found the additional travel expenses a significant burden on top of already steep ticket prices.
Germany face Ecuador in their final Group E fixture at Met Life Stadium, with the players’ gesture likely to earn warm praise from supporters regardless of the result on the pitch.
