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NYC Mayor Mamdani criticizes Trump over World Cup 2026 roadblocks

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani slammed President Donald Trump’s role in the World Cup as players, coaches and fans arriving for the FIFA World Cup come up against the president’s hardline immigration agenda.

The mayor voiced concerns about the denial of visas for journalists from tournament-qualifying countries on the president’s travel ban list and the rejection of visas for coaches and specific foreign national teams.

“This is anathema to what this tournament is supposed to be about,” Mamdani said. “If we can’t even allow players, teams, journalists covering them to come to this country, it begs a larger question about our commitment to the spirit of this tournament.”

Mamdani made the comments at the announcement of a free watch party in Central Park for the World Cup Finals on July 19.

The event, held on Central Park’s Great Lawn, will host more than 50,000 fans. Tickets will be available through a lottery system. The tournament kicks off this week, with the first game in the area taking place on Saturday.

While fans from outside the U.S. have faced complications attending the World Cup, soccer devotees residing in the U.S. also have raised worries about the possibility of an ICE presence at or around stadiums.

The mayor’s remarks also come as Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, said Monday he had reviewed a plan to deploy more ICE agents to New York City as well as to expand the agency in the city.

“I made her(New York Gov. Kathy Hochul) a promise: you’re going to see more ICE agents than you’ve ever seen in New York City, and it’s coming,” Homan said in an interview on Fox News. “I just reviewed an operational plan.”

Infantino has been criticized for his handling of the soccer tournament — including previously by Mamdani on the campaign trail — for his use of surge pricing and doing little to stop or slow the resale market, leading to sky-high tickets prices and his deference to President Trump in the planning of the tournament.

The Attorneys General of New York and New Jersey are investigating the ticket sales.

When asked if he shares those criticisms of the organization’s president, Mamdani replied that his primary goal is to make the tournament the “most affordable and accessible experience for as many New Yorkers as possible.”

“I’m willing to work with everyone to that end,” the mayor said.

Mamdani pointed to how he’s secured 1,000 tickets for $50 a pop — a steep discount for the sought-after games, tickets to which are now going for thousands.

“We will make this World Cup one that as many people as possible can participate in,” Mamdani said. “I want to say thank you to everyone who shares that same mission, all those who have done so much to make the world game belong to the world.”

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