NEW YORK -- New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic nomination on a platform of making the city more affordable, is now calling on soccer's global governing body to make it cheaper for New Yorkers to attend the World Cup.
In a petition released Wednesday -- the first day fans could begin to apply for tickets via a presale draw -- Mamdani demanded FIFA reverse its plan to set prices for next year's tournament based on demand, likening the practice to "price gouging."
The Democratic socialist, who dubbed his campaign "Game Over Greed," also called for 15% of tickets to be set aside at discounted prices for residents.
"As a lifelong football -- sorry, I mean soccer -- fan, I couldn't be more excited," Mamdani said in an accompanying social media video, affecting a faux-British accent as he juggled a soccer ball in his dress shoes. "But are any working-class New Yorkers actually going to be able to watch any of the matches?"
The tournament will be played across 16 cities in North America. Eight matches, including the final, will be held at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, a short train ride from New York City.
"So many of our neighbors will not be able to afford to be there," Mamdani added, accusing FIFA of "pricing working people out of the game that they love."
A spokesperson for FIFA did not respond to an emailed request for comment.
In recent days, FIFA's plan to adopt a "variable pricing" model for ticket sales -- similar to the one used by airlines or hotels -- has sparked controversy among some fans.
Tickets will start at $60 for group stage matches and increase to $6,730 for the final, officials said last week, but could fluctuate under the demand-based pricing model. Mamdani also called on the governing body to implement a cap on resale ticket prices -- something it has agreed to do in Mexico but not in the United States or Canada, he said.
A FIFA spokesperson said: "The pricing model adopted generally reflects the existing and developing market practice in our co-hosts for major entertainment and sporting events on a daily basis, soccer included. We are focused on ensuring fair access to our game for existing but also prospective fans, and are offering group stage tickets starting at $60, a very competitive price point for a major global sporting event in the U.S.
"It is important to note, as a not-for-profit organization, the revenue FIFA generates from the World Cup is reinvested to fuel the growth of the game [men, women, youth] throughout FIFA's 211 member associations globally. As a matter of fact, FIFA expects to reinvest more than 90 percent of its budgeted investments for the cycle 2023-2026 back in the game to significantly boost global football development. Without FIFA's financial support more than 50 per cent of FIFA's Member Associations could not operate."
There were comments online Wednesday from fans reporting difficulties in applying to enter the presale draw taking place Sept. 10-19. Applications over the 10-day period are not on a first-come, first-served basis -- meaning someone applying in the final minute on Sept. 19 has just as much chance of success in receiving a time slot as someone entering when the window first opened Wednesday.
Success in securing a time slot for the presale that starts Oct. 1 will then give fans access to single tickets, with team-specific and venue-specific tickets.
Mamdani, who surged to victory in the primary based on promises such as freezing rent for New Yorkers and making buses free, situated the World Cup fight as part of his larger battle against rising costs for working people.
"Pope John Paul II said, 'Of all the unimportant things, football is the most important,'" he said at a news conference Wednesday. "This is part and parcel of a larger affordability crisis in this city. Once again, it will be working people who will be left behind."
Information from The Associated Press and PA was used in this story.