NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani scored exclusive high-priced tickets to multiple World Cup matches for free, his reps confirmed Saturday, while insisting he’s not snubbing city ethics rules.
“Given the unique nature of the World Cup and the once-in-a-generation opportunity for New York City to serve as a host city, the mayor will attend select matches at [MetLife Stadium] in his official capacity to perform official functions as the chief executive of the host city,” said Mamdani spokesperson Dora Pekac, without being specific.
The soccer-loving, silver-spoon socialist has a “contractual obligation with the New York/New Jersey 2026 World Cup Host Committee” to attend the matches, including Saturday’s pitting Brazil versus Morocco, where he was accompanied by his wife, Rama Duwaji, claimed Pekac.

The First Lady paid for her own ticket to the contest — where the cheapest tickets on secondary market sites were running more than $1,600 as of game day, said Pekac, insisting “there is no gift here.”
She failed to elaborate on how many matches Mamdani plans to attend. There are eight FIFA World Cup 2026 games scheduled for MetLife Stadium.
“It would be unprecedented for host city leadership, particularly a mayor with such international recognition, to not participate in World Cup matches,” Pekac crowed about her boss.

Mamdani also flexed his political muscle earlier this week to nab exclusive seats to Game 3 of NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden — potentially running afoul of city ethics rules, The Post reported.
He downplayed how much he paid for the hot ticket, claiming “roughly $1,000” despite sources telling The Post is was actually $750.

