Accessibility to the World Cup
In New York City, mayoral aspirant Zohran Mamdani has stepped into the conversation about accessibility to the World Cup, urging FIFA to adopt a friendlier pricing structure for the event. His appeal comes as the Democratic nominee gears up for the June election, building his campaign around the theme of affordability for residents.
Petition Against Pricing Strategy
On the very day when fans could submit applications for a pre-sale of tickets, Mamdani issued a petition addressing FIFA’s controversial pricing strategy, which he likened to exploitative ‘price gouging.’
Campaign for Local Residents
Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist and advocate for a more just economy, is rallying for 15% of the World Cup tickets to be reserved specifically for local residents at discounted rates. In a video shared on social media, he humorously donned a pseudo-British accent while skillfully juggling a soccer ball, declaring,
“As a lifelong football fan, I couldn’t be more excited. But are any working-class New Yorkers actually going to be able to watch the games?”
World Cup Details
The 2026 World Cup is set to take place across 16 cities in North America, with MetLife Stadium, conveniently located a short train ride from NYC, hosting eight matches, including the final. Mamdani lamented,
“So many of our neighbors will not be able to afford to be there,”
calling FIFA’s pricing model detrimental to low-income fans of the sport.
According to FIFA’s recent disclosures, ticket prices could range dramatically—from a starting point of $60 for preliminary games to an eye-watering $6,730 for the championship match, with the potential for these prices to fluctuate based on demand.
Call for Resale Price Ceiling
He also urged FIFA to establish a ceiling on reselling prices for tickets, a measure that the organization has agreed to implement in Mexico but has yet to extend to the U.S. and Canada. As fans began to report difficulties with the ticket application process amid an ongoing pre-sale from September 10 to 19, Mamdani highlighted the broader implications of FIFA’s actions within his campaign against the rising cost of living in the city.
Context of Affordability Crisis
At a press briefing, he referenced a quote from Pope John Paul II, stating,
“Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important.”
He positioned the World Cup ticketing issue within the context of an ongoing affordability crisis, lamenting that yet again, it would be the working-class individuals who would find themselves on the outside looking in.
