On a beautiful Wednesday evening, the setting sun cast a warm glow behind Union City, creating a picturesque backdrop for the Brazil vs. Scotland watch party in Hudson River Park. Although the light made it challenging to view the large screen, it did little to dampen the excitement of the gathering. A vibrant group of Brazilian fans, adorned in bright yellow and sporting “It’s great going to Times Square and seeing all the fans,” headbands, were already in high spirits, celebrating their team’s comfortable 3-0 victory. This scene captured the essence of a joyful World Cup moment in New York City.
This marks my eighth World Cup, and the experience of watching the game outdoors, combined with a gentle breeze from the Hudson, was as captivating as any I’ve enjoyed in cities like Marseille, Seoul, Cape Town, or Rio de Janeiro. New York City uniquely embraces the World Cup, integrating it into the fabric of life, especially after the recent Knicks’ victory parade. The positive vibes seem to have seamlessly transitioned into World Cup enthusiasm for many residents.
George Crabtree from Brooklyn expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s cool to see the soccer excitement,” Christian Parelli, a teacher from New Jersey and an avid soccer enthusiast, appreciated the city’s lively atmosphere, saying, “It’s a really good time for sport with the Stanley Cup, the Knicks and the World Cup.”
However, one name frequently arises in discussions about World Cup fever in New York City, and it’s not Lionel Messi. Aditya Shetty, an IT professional, noted, “It feels like [it has] especially with [New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s] involvement, being a host for people,” Like Mamdani, Shetty is a devoted Arsenal supporter.
“The way he talks, you can tell he’s been following soccer for a while and he really wants the country to embrace it and make people feel welcome because he loves the game. Many people from those [participating] countries are here, Brazilians, Scottish, Moroccans. This is naturally a multicultural city and the World Cup is reminding us of it.” Shetty added. Many fans from participating countries, including Brazilians, Scots, and Moroccans, are present, highlighting the city’s multicultural essence. Laleh Emadi, who works in healthcare and isn’t a die-hard soccer fan, shared her enthusiasm, stating, “The camaraderie of going out to watch a game has me extra excited,”
“I feel like the city has done a really great job of getting people out and about. The mayor has all these tips, beer-and-dinner deals to watch the World Cup at a great price. He’s really embracing it on behalf of the city.”
Mamdani is currently riding a significant sporting wave, with two of his favorite teams recently securing titles: the Knicks claimed their first NBA championship since 1973, and Arsenal celebrated their first Premier League title in 22 years. Even fans from Europe acknowledge his genuine understanding of football.
His presence and engagement during the World Cup are noteworthy—he is visible at games, issuing weather updates, and offering insightful commentary on match outcomes. Furthermore, he skillfully utilizes the event to convey political messages without appearing forced. This evokes former British Prime Minister Harold Wilson’s quip about England’s World Cup wins.
“Have you ever noticed how England only ever win the World Cup under Labour governments?”
While many politicians seize the opportunity to capitalize on the World Cup, Mamdani demonstrates a remarkable ability to navigate this landscape with finesse.
To some, Mamdani embodies the idealized representation of the United States. While the presidential administration focused on implementing travel bans, he shared a polished video welcoming people to New York City, emphasizing its identity as a melting pot with the closing remark: “That’s the only problem, we wish it was cheaper,”
As FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended high ticket prices as a norm in the U.S. market, Mamdani worked to secure $50 tickets for local fans. When FIFA ruled against allowing water bottles in stadiums, a move seen as exploiting fans through overpriced concessions, it was Mamdani who contested the policy before it was revised. Additionally, when New Jersey Transit initially planned to charge $150 train tickets to MetLife Stadium, it was Mamdani, alongside New York Governor Kathy Hochul, who arranged $20 shuttle buses.
Cost remains a major issue at the watch party, with attendees attributing the blame to FIFA. “It’s too expensive, especially for locals,” Crabtree lamented. Parelli echoed this sentiment, stating, “If I’d won the [ticket] lottery I’d have been able to go but we’re pretty much priced out.” The exclusion of young professionals in New York City raises concerns, highlighting a stark contrast between Mamdani’s approach and Infantino’s vision for an inclusive World Cup. FIFA claims that profits from the tournament will support grassroots football initiatives.
Regardless of the impact of these interventions, the public relations success for Mamdani is clear. When the Trump administration considered increasing the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City, Mamdani articulated the World Cup’s spirit with clarity and sincerity.
“The World Cup is supposed to be a celebration of the world as a whole,” Mamdani stated. “And some of the decisions that we’ve seen have been taken by the federal administration is anathema to what this tournament is supposed to be about. We want this to be a tournament that reflects our commitment of us being part of something larger than ourselves and that is the world’s games, which everyone should be allowed to be a part of.”
Jules Rimet, the visionary Frenchman who founded the World Cup to unite nations, could not have expressed it better. Yet, it has taken a New Yorker to truly capture the essence of what the World Cup can represent at its finest.
To give Infantino credit, few possess Mamdani’s eloquence. He represents a refreshing voice against the backdrop of Gen X sterility. For those unaccustomed to his style, witnessing the rhythm and flow of his speech during the Knicks’ parade was eye-opening. He possesses a unique talent for making New Yorkers feel united, smoothly transitioning into progressive themes without disrupting the celebratory atmosphere.
Thus far, the tournament has largely overshadowed Trump, contrasting sharply with Mamdani’s constant visibility. While the former president has more pressing matters to attend to, he did manage to make an appearance at a Knicks game during the NBA Finals, where he faced boos from the crowd. He is expected to take similar risks during the final, where Infantino has revealed that he and Trump will jointly present the trophy.
The intervention by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to secure a visa for the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha and the easing of travel restrictions on Iran suggest that some within the Trump administration recognize they are trailing behind Mamdani in this World Cup. Nevertheless, there remains hope that U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino, alongside Folarin Balogin, can provide a comeback for Trump, representing a Latino migrant worker and a British-Nigerian whose claims to U.S. citizenship stem from birthright.
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- Zohran Mamdani
- New York
- U.S. politics
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