New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani opted for seats in the upper levels of MetLife Stadium for Sunday's World Cup final, drawing a parallel to his presence during the New York Knicks' championship run. Despite the expensive ticket prices, ranging from $6,400 to $9,500, Mamdani avoided the VIP suites to sit among fans.
Mamdani shared his experience on social media, writing, "Over the past month, New York City has welcomed the world. From neighborhood watch parties to the stadium, we've celebrated the communities that make our city the global capital of the beautiful game. Today, we close out a historic World Cup, proud of how New Yorkers showed up every step of the way."
However, some social media users pointed out that New York City did not host any World Cup matches during the tournament, with the final taking place in nearby East Rutherford, New Jersey. While the city was not a venue, it was involved in the festivities, hosting media events and serving as a base for thousands of tourists. Mamdani also organized city-wide watch parties for fans unable to attend games in person.
During the tournament, the 34-year-old mayor faced some criticism for his choice of jerseys. In June, he wore an Arsenal-themed custom kurta for Eid celebrations, and for the first World Cup game held at the New York New Jersey Stadium between Brazil and Morocco, he opted for a New York City-themed shirt rather than a Team USA jersey.
Mamdani also shared a photo taken with a disposable camera, documenting the pre-game atmosphere. He was later seen posing with the World Cup trophy alongside Ezequiel Cecchi, 49, after a tournament announcement event in Harlem on May 21.