Zohran Mamdani launches 'Soccer Streets' as FIFA World Cup kick-off nears

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has helped launch the 'Soccer Streets' initiative -Credit:Elsa/NWSL via Getty Images Zohran Mamdani has unveiled a fresh program, 'Soccer Streets,' that will enable children throughout the city to play soccer on New York's streets in advance of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup. While geopolitics and ticket prices have dominated the headlines in the build-up to the summer tournament, including U. S.

President Donald Trump admitting he would not pay the price of admission for America's opening group stage match against Paraguay, Mamdani headed to New York's streets on Monday to introduce 'Soccer Streets'. The New York City mayor participated in a soccer game with children in the Bronx, with Mamdani noting that throughout the city, streets will be shut to vehicles so youngsters can "experience the joy of the game," as per The Mirror US . Real Madrid star hospitalized after locker room brawl with teammate USMNT midfielder to 'undergo surgery' throwing World Cup status into doubt The initiative will make its way to 50 public schools across all five of New York's boroughs -Credit:AP The program will see 'Soccer Streets' reach 50 public schools spanning New York's five boroughs before the World Cup, which kicks off next month.

At each location, there will be car-free streets outside the schools, with the spaces set to be converted into fields, art stations, and block parties. "The World Cup is coming to New York City, and we want every kid in this city to experience the joy of the game," said Mamdani. "Soccer Streets takes that energy directly into our neighborhoods - closing streets to cars, opening them to play and making sure this celebration isn't reserved for people who can afford a ticket.

To listen to the latest episode of 'All Out Soccer' - CLICK HERE "Open Streets is one of the best tools we have to reclaim public space for the public and these activations are another step toward bringing the World Cup to our city's young people. " New York City's Department of Transportation commissioner Mike Flynn added, "For so many schools, the street outside their door is the only outdoor space they have. Soccer Streets shows what's possible when we give that space back to kids - for play, for learning, for community.