Trump, NYC Mayor Mamdani set for World Cup

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US President Donald Trump and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani are both expected to attend Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, but despite sharing the same stage, the two political rivals are not expected to hold a separate meeting, according to the mayor’s office.

The final at MetLife Stadium will see defending champions Argentina take on European champions Spain. While the match promises a high-profile football spectacle, attention is also focused on the presence of several world leaders, including Trump and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez.

Trump and Mamdani were last seen at the NBA Finals in New York, where the US president watched the game from a heavily secured luxury suite. His visit prompted extraordinary security measures, including the cancellation of an outdoor fan watch party. In contrast, Mamdani watched the game from the stands alongside ordinary spectators.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has already confirmed that Trump will join him in presenting the World Cup trophy to the champions, following tournament tradition.

“We will be with the president, enjoy the final and present the trophy together to the winners,” Infantino said last month.

Trump’s relationship with FIFA has drawn criticism during the tournament. Earlier, he reportedly urged Infantino to reconsider the suspension of US forward Folarin Balogun. FIFA later lifted the ban, allowing Balogun to feature against Belgium, although the United States was eliminated. The episode sparked debate among fans over political influence in football.

Because of the attendance of world leaders, US authorities have designated the final as a “Level 1 Special Event,” triggering the highest level of federal security. Measures include enhanced intelligence operations, airspace restrictions and explosive detection teams.

Unlike Trump, Mamdani has been a visible presence throughout the tournament. A self-described football enthusiast and Arsenal supporter, he attended the opening match in New Jersey and has promoted football across New York City through public viewing events and community programmes.

His administration organised “The Morning Pitch,” a football-themed programme, extended park hours for public screenings and recreational matches, and introduced affordable fan jerseys priced at $50, which quickly sold out. The city also worked with FIFA to make 1,000 tickets available to fans for the same price. Mamdani has watched matches in community spaces ranging from neighbourhood restaurants and immigrant shelters to Rikers Island prison.

Despite their attendance, neither leader has publicly declared support for either finalist.

Asked whether Trump was backing Argentina after recently criticising Spain, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said she did not know.

During a recent FIFA event in New York, Trump praised Lionel Messi’s performance and briefly met the president of the Argentine Football Association, asking, “Are you ready to repeat history again?”

Mamdani’s preferred team, Morocco, was eliminated earlier in the tournament. When asked for his prediction before the final, he joked that every team he had backed had lost, suggesting he would rather keep his choice private.

He had earlier criticised the refereeing in Argentina’s match against Egypt, describing it as “a robbery.”