Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani would appoint a “World Cup Czar” to oversee the area’s hosting of the global soccer event next summer, the candidate said Thursday.
Mamdani, himslef a huge soccer fan, said at an Association for a Better New York event that the June 11, 2026 event is an opportunity to draw international tourists to the Big Apple after travel to New York is forecasted to decrease from last year.
“These steps, taken together, are how we wield the World Cup as a launchpad, and how we seize this once-in-a-generation moment to reinvent New York,” Mamdani said.
The ‘czar’ would lead new tourism efforts like digital maps showing spots to watch games live and watch parties and events around the city, the position would come with increased funding for New York City Tourism and Conventions
Mamdani previously called on FIFA to end ticketing practices that have 0shot the price of tickets up,
