World Cup Concerns Will Force One North Jersey School District To Close Early

JERSEY CITY, NJ — The state's second largest city will shut its public schools early on Tuesday out of concerns for traffic during a World Cup match, they announced Friday.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff are our highest priorities," read the letter from Superintendent Dr. Norma Fernandez to parents (see it below). "As our region prepares to host the FIFA World Cup, we anticipate significant logistical challenges that may impact our daily operations.

"Due to the scheduled FIFA match at MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, and the projected extreme traffic congestion throughout the Jersey City and Meadowlands area, all district schools will observe an early dismissal."

The students and teachers will leave at 12:45 p.m., Fernandez wrote. All after-school activities will be canceled.

Four World Cup matches will be played Tuesday, including the France vs. Senegal match at 3 p.m. at MetLife Stadium, 11 miles northwest of Jersey City.

"The intent of this modified schedule is to ensure that all students are safely home and off the roads well before the peak influx of event-related traffic begins. We believe this proactive measure will mitigate transportation delays and ensure a smooth transition for our families," Fernandez wrote. "We understand that schedule changes can be disruptive, and we thank you for your cooperation and partnership as we navigate these unique regional events."

The last day of school is June 25, a half day.

Patch reached out to Fernandez to see if something specific prompted the letter, and will update this story if more information is received.

See Fernandez' message below.