New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani said he wants to appoint a czar for the World Cup soccer tournament next year to make the largest sporting event beneficial to New Yorkers.
The rising American Muslim politician told Fox News in an interview that he would welcome President Donald Trump and his soccer-loving son Barron Trump to watch the games.
“The World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world, and it’s as if no one has been thinking or talking about it here in New York City government. It’s coming next summer to the city, we’re going to have billions of people watching,” he noted.
On his proposal to appoint a czar for the games in East Rutherford, N.J. he said:
“The World Cup czar is going to ensure that this is a tournament that New Yorkers remember as well, not just those who visit us. That it’s a tournament that will signify an increase not only in tourism but in small business and in exploration of this city,” Mamdani told Martha MacCallum.
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“For too long, we’ve had these kinds of opportunities that we just passed up on. We recently had the 400th anniversary of New York City – most people have no idea, because the city didn’t do anything about it,” the rising Democratic politician remarked.
Questioned specifically if he would welcome President Trump, a critic of his polices as Democratic Socialist, and his son to the mega event, Mamdani replied:
“I would welcome them to come to the New York City, and also to talk about how we can actually lower the cost of living because that has to be the focus, and frankly that is the promise that has been broken. It’s time to fix it. And that’s why I am running to do. ”
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In a recent interview on Pablo Torre Finds Out, Mamadni took issue with soccer’s governing body FIFA’s approach to the ticket process of the World Cup, arguing that it would “price out so many New Yorkers from actually being able to be in the stands.”
He suggested that 15% of tickets should be sold to local residents at discounted prices and that FIFA should not put ticket prices based on demand.
Last month, officials said tickets will start at $60 for group-stage matches and spike to to $6,730 for the final. However, pricing would be dynamic and could change as per the demand-based pricing model.
My message to President Trump. pic.twitter.com/kWLtd7L5G9
— Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@ZohranKMamdani) October 15, 2025
During the interview Mamdani took a swipe at his challenger and ex-governor Andrew Cuomo, who is currently lagging way behind in polls.
“I just want to speak directly to the president. I will not be a mayor like Mayor Adams, who will call you to stay out of jail. I won’t be a disgraced governor like Andrew Cuomo, who will call you to ask how to win this election. I can do those things on my own.
“I will, however, be a mayor who is ready to speak at any time to lower the cost of living. That’s the way I’m going to lead this city. That’s the partnership I want to build,” Mamdani said.
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Huma Nisar is Associate Editor at Views and News. She also writes opinion articles on health, society and diet.
