New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to directly appeal to President Donald Trump to lift or modify recent travel bans that could prevent fans from several qualified nations from attending the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer.
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani to Urge Trump: Reverse Travel Bans for 2026 World Cup Fans
In an interview with The Athletic (published January 19, 2026, and updated January 20), Mamdani expressed hope for policy changes ahead of the tournament, which includes eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey—including the final. The democratic socialist mayor, who has championed soccer accessibility since his campaign, framed the request as part of positioning New York as the “world’s city” and ensuring the “world’s game” is truly open to global fans.
Travel Bans Impacting World Cup-Qualified Nations
Since Trump returned to the presidency in January 2025, his administration has reinstated and expanded travel restrictions on nationals from certain countries, citing national security and high visa overstay rates. Key proclamations include:
- A June 2025 ban affecting multiple nations.
- A December 2025 suspension specifically targeting entry (immigrant and non-immigrant, including visitor categories) for citizens of Ivory Coast and Senegal.
These restrictions also apply to nationals from Iran and Haiti—all four of which have qualified for the expanded 48-team 2026 World Cup.
Exemptions exist for essential tournament personnel: players, coaching staffs, federation officials, and their immediate relatives. However, general fans from these countries face significant barriers to obtaining visas or entry, despite the tournament’s global nature.
The Trump administration introduced the FIFA PASS in November 2025 as a prioritized processing system for verified ticket holders, but it is not a visa waiver and does not override existing bans or security screenings.
Mamdani told The Athletic: “It’s something that I hope will change. And I will always make the case not only for our city as the world’s city, but also a city that the world can visit.”
Mamdani’s Broader World Cup Advocacy
The mayor’s push on travel aligns with his ongoing efforts to make the tournament more inclusive and affordable:
- He has criticized FIFA’s dynamic pricing model and resale practices, launching the “Game Over Greed” petition in September 2025 calling for an end to dynamic pricing, resale caps, and 15% of tickets reserved at discounted rates for local residents.
- Mamdani reiterated: “I continue to think that the right approach here is to end dynamic pricing, cap resale prices, and to have 15 per cent of tickets set aside at a discount for local residents.”
- To highlight community ties, he hosted an Africa Cup of Nations final watch party (Morocco vs. Senegal) at Manhattan’s Surrogate’s Court on January 19, bringing together New York’s Senegalese, Moroccan, and broader African diasporas. He noted: “For a long time, a love of this game, of these countries, of this tournament, is one that New Yorkers only got to experience in their own homes or in specific neighborhoods… It’s time for those two things to be linked.”
Mamdani also discussed appointing a World Cup czar for New York, someone with passion for soccer and expertise in navigating government agencies to ensure a “seamless experience that is sensational.”
Political Context and Prior Trump-Mamdani Interactions
Mamdani, a self-described democratic socialist, faced criticism from Trump during his mayoral campaign but later had a reportedly positive Oval Office meeting. Trump described Mamdani as a “rational person” and said he would be “cheering” for him.
This personal rapport could prove key as Mamdani seeks to influence federal policy. The World Cup’s co-hosting agreement between New York/New Jersey and the federal government adds leverage, with the event poised to draw millions of international visitors starting in June 2026.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The story has drawn attention across sports and political outlets, with some conservative voices on social media questioning Mamdani’s influence or suggesting preconditions for any discussion. Supporters view it as a pragmatic push for global unity through sport.
As preparations intensify—FIFA reports over 500 million ticket requests—the travel ban issue could become a flashpoint, testing the balance between national security priorities and the inclusive spirit of the World Cup.
Mamdani’s direct outreach to Trump underscores New York’s role in the tournament and his vision for an accessible, community-driven event. Whether the administration responds favorably remains to be seen, but the mayor’s advocacy signals early efforts to address potential barriers before kickoff. Stay tuned for developments as the 2026 World Cup approaches.
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