Mamdani Gets 1,000 Cheap World Cup Tickets After FIFA Talks

NEW YORK — New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani is set to announce on Thursday that he negotiated 1,000 tickets from FIFA that will only cost residents $50 each. These are the cheapest tickets for the entire World Cup distributed through FIFA (not a secondary resale site), and the only cheap ticket program negotiated by a host region’s government for the 2026 tournament. In past World Cups, FIFA allocated a portion of affordable tickets to local residents.

New York City residents will be randomly selected for up to two upper-bowl seats to one of seven matches, and get a free bus ride to and from the stadium. New Jersey is hosting eight matches including the tournament final, which is not part of the program jointly run by Mamdani’s administration and the local host committee. The tickets are coming from the host committee’s batch of purchased tickets, but the deal still needed FIFA’s approval, The Athletic reported .

There will be no income verification or requirement that someone is a soccer fan to qualify, only that they live in New York City. Mamdani is set to make the announcement on Thursday morning in New York City’s Little Senegal neighborhood. Senegal, which will play two group stage matches in New Jersey, is under a travel ban from the Trump administration that partially limits visitors including some World Cup fans .

Mamdani, a longtime soccer fan, has criticized FIFA’s ticket prices since before his inauguration in January. His administration has referenced its “active negotiations” with FIFA throughout the spring. Mamdani played high school soccer in the Bronx, is an Arsenal supporter, and has said he attended the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.