New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Demands Trump Lift Travel Restrictions Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
New York City Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani speaks on stage for the March on Wall Street, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
By Solange Reyner | Monday, 19 January 2026 01:24 PM EST
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has demanded President Donald Trump lift travel restrictions affecting nations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which begins June 11.
Speaking ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations final between Morocco and Senegal, Mamdani stated: “It’s something that I hope will change.”
The mayor hosted a watch party for the match at Manhattan’s Surrogate’s Court, emphasizing the need to ensure global access for fans and athletes.
“We must consider previous World Cups,” Mamdani said. “I was lucky enough to attend the 2010 event in South Africa. To fully experience our city as a global hub, we have to allow the world to be here.”
He also highlighted New York’s strong diaspora communities: “This is a chance for us to show what it can look like to repurpose city spaces into ones where we celebrate the game.”
President Trump’s administration has imposed travel bans on individuals from multiple countries as part of security measures. A recent proclamation, issued on December 16, banned visas for citizens of 39 nations and the Palestinian Authority but included exceptions for athletes and staff participating in major sporting events like the World Cup.
