New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani Slams Trump’s Immigration Policies Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has launched a sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, calling them fundamentally incompatible with the spirit of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Speaking to reporters, Mamdani condemned a series of immigration-related decisions, including the…
NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has launched a sharp criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, calling them fundamentally incompatible with the spirit of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Speaking to reporters, Mamdani condemned a series of immigration-related decisions, including the denial of visas to journalists from certain countries, the rejection of a team coach’s visa application, and the issuance of single-day visas to select foreign national teams. “These decisions go against the very purpose of this tournament,” Mamdani said.
The mayor, a lifelong football fan, took to social media to underscore his point: “Football cannot exist without immigrants — from the players and coaches to the stadium workers and the fans filling the stands.”
Mamdani also pushed back against threats by Trump’s so-called “Border Czar” Tom Homan, who vowed an increased ICE presence in New York City. The mayor said he has personally conveyed his concerns directly to President Trump. With the tournament yet to kick off, critics warn that America’s immigration stance risks casting a long shadow over one of the world’s most celebrated sporting events.
