NEW YORK – Mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani has publicly criticized FIFA’s ticket pricing strategy for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, urging necessary reforms to make the event accessible for local fans. During a press conference held at St. James Park in the Bronx, he introduced his “Game Over Greed” campaign, addressing concerns about FIFA’s dynamic pricing model coinciding with the official start of the ticketing process.

Mamdani outlined three key demands: abolishment of dynamic pricing, implementing a cap on resale prices on FIFA’s official platform, and ensuring that 15% of all tickets are offered to local residents at discounted rates.

“This is all quite precedented,” Mamdani stated. “This is how they previously operated their World Cups.”

Fans interested in purchasing tickets for the World Cup can enter a presale draw, which is set to run until September 19, exclusively for Visa cardholders.

In a prior media briefing, FIFA announced that tickets would start at $60, but the cost for the most expensive general ticket for the World Cup final could escalate to $6,730. The starting price does not significantly exceed that of the 1994 World Cup.

A FIFA representative elaborated that their pricing reflects U.S. market standards and mentioned that the resale platform would provide safe transactions aligned with U.S. regulations. They emphasized that revenue from the World Cup would primarily support global football development.

“The world’s game is pricing out the very people that make it so special,” Mamdani commented.

Thousands have reportedly signed a petition on Mamdani’s campaign website, which aims to inspire FIFA to amend their strategies.

As the mayoral election approaches, Mamdani remains committed to advocating for affordable access to the World Cup, drawing from his experiences as a lifelong soccer fan, including attending the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.