A serious traffic accident in the Lincoln Tunnel, which crosses the Hudson River connecting New Jersey to New York, caused a delay in the FIFA Club World Cup semifinal between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid, scheduled for Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at 4 PM (Brasília time). The collision, involving a bus and two cars, partially blocked the tunnel for nearly two hours, impacting the Real Madrid delegation’s travel and fans heading to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The match, originally set for 3 PM (local time), was postponed by 45 minutes by FIFA, prioritizing safety. The game will be broadcast live on Globo, SporTV, CazéTV, and DAZN, with real-time coverage on ge.globo.com. The incident caused traffic chaos in the area, but no fatalities were reported, according to local authorities.
The accident occurred around 12:30 PM (local time) when a tour bus carrying fans collided with two private cars in the New Jersey-bound direction near the tunnel’s exit. The Real Madrid delegation, traveling from a Manhattan hotel to the stadium, was caught in the resulting traffic jam, while fans faced difficulties reaching the venue. FIFA confirmed the delay after consulting with both teams and local police. PSG, staying closer to the stadium, was not directly affected, though Luis Enrique’s press conference was shortened to adjust the schedule.
- Immediate impacts of the accident:
- Two lanes of the Lincoln Tunnel blocked for 1 hour and 45 minutes.
- 45-minute delay in the match start time.
- 5-km traffic jam on I-495 and adjacent roads.
- Changes to media and fan logistics.
The situation was resolved by 2:15 PM, but the incident heightened tension for the match, already charged with the historic rivalry between the clubs and the significance of Kylian Mbappé’s reunion with PSG.
Details of the Lincoln Tunnel accident
The Lincoln Tunnel, a key link between Manhattan and New Jersey, is known for heavy traffic, especially during major events like the Club World Cup semifinal. According to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the accident involved a tour bus and two cars. The crash caused significant material damage, but injuries were minor, with the bus driver and a car passenger treated at the scene.
Local police reported that the preliminary cause was an abrupt lane change by the bus in a congested section. Emergency teams, including firefighters and New Jersey’s traffic authority, responded quickly, but removing the damaged vehicles required closing two of the tunnel’s three lanes temporarily. Traffic in the area, already slowed by fans heading to MetLife Stadium, came to a standstill, affecting other routes like the I-495 highway.
Live broadcast and viewing options
Despite the delay, the match coverage remains robust in Brazil. Globo will air the game on free-to-air TV, with narration by Luis Roberto and commentary by Caio Ribeiro and Junior. SporTV will feature Luiz Carlos Jr. as the narrator. CazéTV offers free streaming on YouTube and Disney+, while DAZN provides the match for subscribers. The ge.globo.com website will cover the game in real time with updates on plays and stats. The broadcast will adjust its pre-game coverage, starting at 4 PM (Brasília time), focusing on the accident’s impact and Real Madrid’s late arrival.
For fans outside Brazil, FIFA+ offers free streaming in select regions, subject to geo-restrictions. Apps like Sofascore provide live updates. The schedule change did not affect broadcasters’ programming, but pre-game coverage will highlight the tunnel incident, which gained international attention due to the match’s significance.
Probable lineups and absences
PSG, led by Luis Enrique, will miss Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernández, suspended after red cards in their 2-0 win over Bayern Munich. Lucas Beraldo is expected to pair with Marquinhos in defense, while Ousmane Dembélé, recovered from injury, is likely to start. PSG’s probable lineup is: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Lucas Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves, Fabián Ruiz; Désiré Doué, Ousmane Dembélé (or Bradley Barcola), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Real Madrid, coached by Xabi Alonso, will be without Dean Huijsen, suspended after a red card against Borussia Dortmund. Raúl Asencio is set to replace him in defense. Kylian Mbappé’s starting spot is uncertain, with Gonzalo García, the team’s top scorer in the tournament, possibly starting. Real Madrid’s probable lineup is: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Fran García; Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Arda Güler; Jude Bellingham, Gonzalo García (or Kylian Mbappé), Vinícius Júnior. The travel delay is not expected to alter the lineups but may affect the players’ mental preparation.
Context of the delay and logistical impact
The Lincoln Tunnel accident was not Real Madrid’s only setback. The day before, the team faced a delayed flight from Miami to New Jersey due to storms, canceling media commitments. The tunnel incident further disrupted their schedule, limiting warm-up time at the stadium and drawing criticism of FIFA’s logistics for high-demand match days. Real Madrid arrived at MetLife Stadium with only 90 minutes to spare, compared to the usual three hours.
PSG, in contrast, followed its routine, holding a light training session at the stadium the previous evening and a well-attended press conference. Luis Enrique avoided commenting on the rival’s delay, focusing on his team’s preparation. FIFA increased security around the stadium, deploying police escorts to prevent further issues.
- Measures taken after the accident:
- Gradual reopening of the Lincoln Tunnel by 2:15 PM.
- Police escorts for fans and media.
- Adjusted team warm-up schedule.
- FIFA statement confirming the match would proceed.
Refereeing and match conditions
The match will be officiated by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak, assisted by Tomasz Listkiewicz and Adam Kupsik, with Mustapha Ghorbal (Algeria) as the fourth official. In the VAR, Tomasz Kwiatkowski (Poland) and Rob Dieperink (Netherlands) will operate. Marciniak’s experience in high-stakes games aims to ensure control in a tense match, especially after the delay. Weather forecasts indicate partly cloudy skies, with temperatures between 24°C and 27°C and no rain, favoring a technical game on MetLife Stadium’s adapted pitch.
Head-to-head history
PSG and Real Madrid have faced off 12 times in official competitions, with Real Madrid winning five, PSG four, and three draws. Their last meeting, in 2022, saw Real Madrid win 3-1 in the Champions League. This is their first Club World Cup encounter, with PSG seeking its first title and Real Madrid aiming for a sixth.
Match curiosities
The game is rich with storylines, including Mbappé’s first clash against PSG since leaving in 2024 and Achraf Hakimi, a former Real Madrid player, starring for PSG. The tunnel accident adds an unexpected twist, recalling other historic Hudson River incidents, like the 2009 emergency plane landing.
- Notable facts:
- The Lincoln Tunnel handles 120,000 vehicles daily.
- PSG has never won the Club World Cup, while Real Madrid has five titles.
- The tournament’s prize pool could reach $125 million.
Predictions and expectations
The delay may give PSG a psychological edge, as they maintained their routine. A 2-1 win for the French side is the most common prediction, with Kvaratskhelia and Vinícius Jr. as likely protagonists. However, Real Madrid’s experience in knockout games keeps the match unpredictable.
Tickets and stadium atmosphere
MetLife Stadium, with 82,500 seats, is sold out, but the traffic delay reduced early fan arrivals. Tickets, priced from $50 to $500, sold out quickly. The presence of Latin and Brazilian communities ensures support for players like Marquinhos and Vinícius Jr., despite logistical challenges.
