A radiant sunset cast a glow over Union City on Wednesday evening, enhancing the ambiance of the Brazil versus Scotland watch party in Hudson River Park. While the giant screen was somewhat obscured, it did little to dampen the festive atmosphere of a World Cup night in New York City. The vibrant group of Brazilians, adorned in bright yellow and sporting “It’s great going to Times Square and seeing all the fans,” headbands, were already in high spirits following their team’s comfortable 3-0 victory. Indeed, this was a quintessential World Cup moment.
This marks my eighth World Cup, and the combination of outdoor viewing and the gentle breeze from the Hudson River created an experience that rivaled any I’ve enjoyed in Marseille, Seoul, Cape Town, or Rio de Janeiro. In New York City, the World Cup seems to be deeply woven into the fabric of life, especially since the Knicks’ triumphant parade concluded. The city’s jubilant mood appears to have seamlessly transitioned into a fervor for the World Cup.
“It’s cool to see the soccer excitement,” remarked George Crabtree from Brooklyn. Christian Parelli, a New Jersey teacher and devoted soccer enthusiast, relished the city’s embrace of the tournament. “It’s a really good time for sport with the Stanley Cup, the Knicks and the World Cup.” he stated. “It feels like [it has] especially with [New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani’s] involvement, being a host for people,”
Zohran Mamdani’s Influence
However, one name frequently surfaces when discussing New York City’s World Cup enthusiasm, and it’s not Lionel Messi. “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.” said Aditya Shetty, an IT professional. An Arsenal supporter like Mamdani, Shetty added, “The camaraderie of going out to watch a game has me extra excited,”
Laleh Emadi, who works in healthcare and isn’t a die-hard soccer fan, expressed her excitement for the World Cup. “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.” she shared. “Have you ever noticed how England only ever win the World Cup under Labour governments?”
Mamdani’s enthusiasm comes at a time of remarkable achievement for his favorite teams. Recently, the Knicks secured their first NBA championship since 1973, and Arsenal claimed their first Premier League title in 22 years. Even fans from Europe acknowledge that he genuinely understands football.
Political Engagement Through Sport
Mamdani’s presence at the World Cup is marked by his active participation and emotional investment. He engages with the games, shares weather updates, and discusses match outcomes knowledgeably. His ability to leverage the global event to convey political sentiments is particularly noteworthy, avoiding the clumsiness often seen in such attempts. This recalls a remark by former British prime minister Harold Wilson about the 1966 World Cup.
“That’s the only problem, we wish it was cheaper,”
While many politicians take advantage of World Cup glory, Mamdani stands out for his skillful approach.
To many observers, Mamdani embodies an optimistic vision of the United States, reminiscent of the ideals taught to children globally. As the presidential administration implemented travel bans, Mamdani shared a polished video welcoming viewers to New York City, emphasizing its immigrant heritage with the closing phrase: “It’s too expensive, especially for locals,”
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the high costs of tickets in the U.S. market, Mamdani managed to secure $50 tickets for New Yorkers. When FIFA ruled against bringing water bottles into stadiums—a move aimed at promoting overpriced drinks—Mamdani, rather than Donald Trump, voiced concerns leading to a change in policy. Additionally, when New Jersey Transit announced $150 train fares to MetLife Stadium, it was Mamdani and New York governor Kathy Hochul who introduced $20 shuttle buses.
Challenges and Criticisms
Cost remains a significant concern among spectators at the watch party, with many attributing it to FIFA’s pricing strategies. “If I’d won the [ticket] lottery I’d have been able to go but we’re pretty much priced out.” Crabtree expressed. “The World Cup is supposed to be a celebration of the world as a whole,” Parelli added. “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.” The exclusion of young professionals from this experience highlights a disparity that raises questions about FIFA’s approach, contrasting Mamdani’s efforts to make the World Cup accessible to all. (FIFA asserts that profits from the World Cup will support grassroots football.)
While it’s uncertain whether these interventions will lead to significant changes, the public relations victory for Mamdani is clear. When the Trump administration threatened to increase the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in New York City, Mamdani articulated the essence of the World Cup in a heartfelt manner.
“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 are anathema to what this tournament is supposed to be about. We want this to be a tournament that reflects our commitment to being part of something larger than ourselves, and that is the world’s games, which everyone should be allowed to be a part of.”
This sentiment resonates with the vision of Jules Rimet, the idealistic Frenchman who founded the World Cup as a means of unifying nations. Yet, it falls to a New Yorker to articulate the true potential of the World Cup.
To be fair to Infantino, few can match Mamdani’s oratory skills. He embodies a refreshing contrast to the often sterile rhetoric of previous generations. Observers noted that his speech at the Knicks’ parade was a transformative experience, not just for its eloquence, but for his ability to unify New Yorkers and seamlessly incorporate progressive themes into the celebration.
Currently, the tournament has notably been devoid of Trump’s presence, which starkly contrasts with Mamdani’s constant visibility. Admittedly, Trump has myriad responsibilities, but he did manage to attend a Knicks game during the NBA finals, where he faced boos from the audience. He may take the same risk at the final, where Infantino has announced he and Trump will jointly present the trophy.
The personal intervention by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to ensure the mother of Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha received a visa to attend the tournament, along with the easing of travel restrictions on Iran, suggests that some within the Trump administration recognize they are significantly lagging behind Mamdani in this World Cup. Nevertheless, perhaps U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino and Folarin Balogin can still turn the tide for Trump: a Latino migrant worker and a British-Nigerian, whose U.S. passport claim is derived from his birthright citizenship.
