The 2026 FIFA World Cup is well underway. The United States is the host country, and New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, home to the New York Jets and the New York Giants, is one of the central venues.
MetLife Stadium is set to host eight total matches, including the World Cup Final. On Saturday (5 p.m. EST), it will host the Group L match between England and Panama.
One of the Jets’ up-and-coming young offensive players is in attendance for the match, according to the team’s official social media accounts: running back Braelon Allen.
Allen, 22, is entering a pivotal third season with Gang Green. A 2024 second-round pick out of Wisconsin, Allen was drafted to be the Jets’ secondary option behind starter Breece Hall. Through two seasons, though, injuries and inefficiency have plagued Allen.
In 21 career games, Allen has rushed 110 times for 410 yards, an average of just 3.7 yards per carry. He’s ran for three touchdowns and 26 first downs, while adding 21 receptions on 30 targets for 165 yards, one touchdown, and nine first downs.
After playing all 17 games in his rookie year, Allen’s 2025 season came to an end in Week 4 due to an MCL sprain, which required surgery. Before the injury, he had rushed for 76 yards and one touchdown on 18 carries, while losing one fumble.
Going into his third season, Allen, who already weighed 235 pounds at the 2024 combine, has bulked up even further. Speaking to the media in June, Allen revealed he is up to 250 pounds after ranging from 238 to 240 heading into the 2025 season.
With even more muscle added to an already imposing frame, Allen hopes to bulldoze through AFC East defenders the same way that Brazil bulldozed through Morocco (6-0) in the very first World Cup match at MetLife Stadium.
