NYC Mayor Mamdani watches World Cup semifinal with inmates at Rikers Island

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani spent part of the World Cup semifinal between England and Argentina inside Rikers Island, one of the country’s most notorious jail complexes, watching alongside more than 100 inmates gathered in a gymnasium at the facility’s main intake centre.

The visit was part of an ongoing World Cup programme run by the jail since the tournament kicked off last month. Screenings are reserved for inmates who have remained incident-free for at least 30 days and demonstrated good behaviour. Officials say roughly 90 screenings have been held so far, with approximately 4,500 of the jail’s 6,600 inmates taking part.

Mamdani arrived shortly before kickoff, ditched his trademark suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his white dress shirt before sitting among the inmates. A giant projection screen and soccer-themed balloon displays had transformed the gymnasium into an unlikely watch party, while fans elsewhere in the city packed bars, parks and offices for the same match.

The mayor quickly joined conversations about the game. One inmate predicted Argentina would beat England before facing Spain in the final. “You never know,” Mamdani replied — the mayor has previously said he supports Morocco.

Mamdani also stopped to congratulate an inmate who told him he would be released later that day. “That’s amazing,” the mayor said, shaking his hand and patting him on the back. He departed the facility roughly 20 minutes into the match.