New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has made a bold prediction for the 2026 World Cup, forecasting that Morocco will defeat France in the final. The mayor, an avid soccer fan, shared his bracket with the Guardian during a recent interview on City Hall lawn.
A Historic Pick for Africa
Mamdani's selection would mark the first-ever World Cup victory for an African nation. Morocco, which made history in 2022 by becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals, is currently ranked seventh in FIFA's rankings. The Atlas Lions begin their campaign against Brazil on June 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Heart Over Head
When asked whether his picks were based on emotion or logic, Mamdani admitted it was a mix. "The heart wants what it wants," he said, acknowledging the unlikelihood of Morocco winning but standing by his choice. His bracket includes several surprises, such as Haiti advancing to the round of 32, Brazil losing to Japan, and the US reaching the quarterfinals before falling to England.
Community Connection
Mamdani's ties to African football run deep. Born in Uganda, he attended the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and recalls crying after Luis Suárez's handball knocked Ghana out. In 2022, he celebrated Morocco's quarterfinal victory with constituents in Queens. He has also announced a program to make $50 tickets available for New York City residents to attend World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium.
Other Predictions
Mamdani expects the US to top Group D and defeat Canada and Belgium before losing to England. Portugal, he predicts, will lose to England in the round of 32. "It's not going to be Portugal," he joked earlier this year.
As the tournament approaches, Mamdani's bracket has sparked discussion among soccer fans. Whether his heart-led prediction comes true remains to be seen, but it has certainly added excitement to the build-up.
