If there’s a word in the English dictionary synonymous with NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, it has to be “affordable.” The self-professed soccer fan has been adamant that the upcoming FIFA World Cup has to be accessible to the New Yorkers he represents.
In the rest of the participating nations, the debates surrounding the World Cup are currently about which athletes have been chosen and who has been left out. Unfortunately, the discussion has been very different in the US.
The preparation has been dominated by narratives about scalpers and politics. Reportedly, tickets to attend some of the games have ballooned to as much as $2 million, and the current administration has been looking into options for turning some of the games into opportunities to target undocumented immigrants. Anticipation for the beloved tournament is at an all-time low, as most people simply don’t find it affordable and others don’t want their love for soccer to be used as bait.
Almost without any fuss, Mayor Mamdani announced that he had secured 1,000 FIFA World Cup tickets for New Yorkers that will go for $50 after closed-door negotiations with FIFA president Gianni Infantino. FIFA has already demonstrated that it is willing to engage in politics if it means securing a smooth tournament — it’s just that none of the leaders in the country have used that sway for anything besides a made-up peace award.
According to Yahoo, residents of New York will get a chance to purchase these tickets after entering a lottery organized by Mamdani’s administration. But the fact that not everyone who wants an affordable ticket will have access to one is not the only catch — each ticket purchase will also include a round-trip bus ticket to New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Mamdani has reportedly been working on an agreement with Infantino since March. The price reduction will not cost the organization anything, as the tickets were pulled from an allocation reserved by the New York-New Jersey host committee.
The lottery is scheduled to go live on May 25, 2026. Residents will be allowed to make daily entries, with the cap being 50,000 entries per person. For superfans who have no problem being relentless about soccer, their chances will increase the harder they try. Winners will be able to purchase two tickets starting June 3.
Mamdani declared, “A World Cup is coming to our backyard, and we want to ensure working-class New Yorkers have the opportunity to be part of it.” According to the NYC mayor, the tickets will be non-transferable and distributed directly to buyers on the buses. Mamdani joked that the prices would cost as much as five lattes in the city.
Just recently, Donald Trump was asked about the World Cup and told the press, “I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.” Sports are one of the final places where people can go and have fun without politics playing a part — though some are already politicizing Christopher Nolan’s casting choices in his upcoming movie.
Hopefully other leaders nationwide follow Mamdani’s example.
Published: May 22, 2026 03:55 pm