Res 0428-2026

Whereas, The F�d�ration Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup brings together teams from nations worldwide every four years in selected host countries around the world to compete in a month-long tournament; and Whereas, The sport that most countries in the world call "football" is known as "soccer" in the United States (U.S.); and Whereas, From June 11 to July 19, 2026, the World Cup tournament will be bringing 48 nations to play 104 matches in 16 cities in the host countries of Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.; and Whereas, Eight matches will be played in the "New York New Jersey" ("NYNJ") region at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final match, which is one of the biggest single sports events in the world; and Whereas, FIFA, the governing body that manages national associations and international competitions, noted that the 2022 final match in Qatar, when Argentina defeated France on penalties, was viewed by 1.42 billion fans, but FIFA President Gianni Infantino is predicting even more viewers for this year's final match at MetLife Stadium; and Whereas, The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT), now under the direction of former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, will be trying to beat its best-ever finish of third place in 1930; and Whereas, In addition to the matches, the NYNJ Host Committee and Mayor Zohran Mamdani have planned free Fan Events in New York City (NYC) in all five boroughs, bringing together live viewings of the matches, cultural programming, and other interactive experiences; and Whereas, The NYNJ World Cup 26 Queens Group Stage HQ is offering daily programming and live match viewings at the U.S. Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center from June 11 to June 27, 2026; and Whereas, The NYNJ World Cup 26 & Telemundo Fan Village at Rockefeller Center is offering daily programming, with longer hours during Finals Week, from July 6 to July 19, 2026; and Whereas, The NYNJ World Cup 26 Bronx Fan Zone at the Bronx Terminal Market is offering match day programming and local cultural programming on June 13 and June 14, 2026; and Whereas, The Brooklyn Fan Zone at the Brooklyn Bridge Park is offering daily programming and live match viewings from June 13 to July 19, 2026; and Whereas, The NYNJ World Cup 26 Staten Island Fan Zone at Staten Island University Hospital Community Park is offering daily programming and live evening match viewings from June 29 to July 2, 2026; and Whereas, Designed by NJ-born and Brooklyn-based artist Rich Tu, the official poster for the NYNJ host region displays a soccer ball being held up by the Statue of Liberty's flaming torch; and Whereas, The official tournament poster was designed by three artists from the three host countries, with NJ-born and NYC-based Hank Willis Thomas representing the U.S.; and Whereas, Speaking of the collaboration among the three artists that produced the official tournament poster, Thomas said that he wanted "people to recognize that, as three nations, we actually inhabit the same space more often than not" and that the poster "reminds us that we are better together"; and Whereas, It is fitting for all New Yorkers, including all those whose heritages can be found among the 48 nations competing in the tournament, to take part in welcoming the World Cup spectacle, which will draw attention worldwide to NYC and its many cultural, arts, entertainment, and sports venues and offerings and which will bring significant economic benefits to NYC; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York celebrates the arrival of the 2026 World Cup in the City of New York. LS #22498 4/30/2026 RHP 1