On Thursday, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani strolled across the City Hall lawn, taking a seat to share that he hadn’t had the opportunity to thoroughly research his World Cup predictions for this summer.
This revelation might not be surprising given Mamdani’s role overseeing the largest municipal government in the United States, which grapples with soaring rent prices and ongoing concerns surrounding ICE, all while managing a tight budget after taking office.
Yet, it’s essential to highlight that Mamdani is a passionate soccer enthusiast—a rarity in American political circles. His engagement with soccer extends beyond mere fandom; he actively addresses the sport as a matter of cultural significance and public policy. He participated in Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx while wearing an Arsenal-themed kurta and has opposed FIFA’s dynamic pricing strategy, also hosting a watch party in a municipal court for the Africa Cup of Nations final.
Now, Mamdani’s bond with African football is set to deepen. While participating in the Guardian’s World Cup Bracketology game, he confidently predicted that Morocco would triumph over France in the championship match.
Before finalizing his choices, I inquired whether his predictions were guided by his heart, reflecting his desires, or by his head, which would align with what he believes is likely. Ultimately, his selections blended both; while some were straightforward, others, particularly the final match, required careful contemplation. Mamdani ultimately chose Morocco as the victor, a decision many would deem improbable, but as he aptly noted, “the heart wants what it wants.”
If this scenario unfolds, it would mark a historic first World Cup victory and final appearance for any African nation. His bracket prediction is full of unexpected outcomes, including Haiti progressing to the round of 32, Brazil losing to Japan in the same stage, and the United States making it to the quarter-finals before being eliminated by England.
In the previous World Cup held in Qatar, Morocco made history as the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. At that time, Mamdani, who served as a New York state assemblyman for a Queens district, celebrated with his constituents in Astoria after Morocco’s quarter-final victory over Portugal, sharing videos of the jubilant celebrations on Steinway Street, known for its North African community.
The Atlas Lions are entering this summer’s tournament ranked seventh by FIFA, with high hopes of surpassing their previous achievement in Qatar.
Mamdani may very well be at Morocco’s opening match, as they kick off Group C against Brazil on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Recently, he announced a program to provide $50 tickets for city residents to attend seven out of eight matches at the stadium. These tickets, available in blocks of around 150 per game, will be distributed through a random draw, totaling 1,000 tickets.
This ticket initiative was unveiled in May during an event alongside USMNT players Tim Weah and Mark McKenzie, both from New York. Mamdani is optimistic about the American team’s prospects, predicting they will top Group D and defeat Canada and Belgium in the knockout rounds before facing England in the quarter-finals.
In a March press conference regarding the city’s transportation plans for the World Cup, the mayor had previously shied away from naming a winner but made it clear which team would not come out on top. Laughing, he declared, “It’s not going to be Portugal.” In his bracket, Mamdani has Portugal getting eliminated by England in the Round of 32.
Born in Uganda, Mamdani has recounted how attending the 2010 World Cup in South Africa shaped his love for the sport. He was present at Soccer City in Johannesburg, rooting for Ghana during their quarter-final match against Uruguay, an experience that brought him to tears after Luis Suárez’s infamous handball altered the outcome.
This year, he is confident that Ghana will reach the knockout stage as the third-place team in Group I but will be eliminated by Colombia in the Round of 32.
