NYC swells with Spanish, Argentinian fans anticipating World Cup glory | World Cup 2026
Fans Gather in New York City Ahead of FIFA World Cup Final
New York, United States — Early Sunday morning, fans began congregating in Midtown Manhattan and throughout New York City in anticipation of the FIFA World Cup final featuring Argentina and Spain.
Amidst the festive atmosphere, supporters played drums, formed chains, and engaged in impromptu chants, expressing both excitement and anxiety regarding their teams’ chances of victory.
Nicolas Oliver, 21, a Spanish national residing in Quebec, conveyed his enthusiasm ahead of the match. “I’m feeling good, but I really hope that we win today,” he said. Oliver reminisced about Spain’s last World Cup triumph in 2010 when he was just five years old. “I remember perfectly that day. I would love to feel that same sensation — everyone coming together, putting aside their differences, and celebrating for at least one day,” he added.
Fellow fan, 17-year-old Mohamed Zidan, originally from Hama, Syria, but now living in Springfield, Massachusetts, also made the trip to New York for the final. “I just got here six hours ago. This is my first time in New York. The city’s too big!” he said, expressing excitement for the match and plans to celebrate in Times Square afterward.
Paola Belmonta, 23, visiting from southern Spain, described her experience as both thrilling and overwhelming. Currently spending her summer in Virginia, she voiced confidence in Spain’s chances, stating, “Spain is going to take this!”
Conversely, Alex Roma, 50, an Argentine expatriate living in Washington, D.C., voiced a more cautious outlook. “Spain is not an easy team, but neither is Argentina,” he noted. Roma praised his team’s resilience in recent matches. “We showed a lot of heart in the last few minutes. To the last breath, we’re gonna fight and try to win,” he said. He also expressed surprise at the performance of standout player Lionel Messi, adding, “I thought he was going to play a few minutes in the second half. But he’s been amazing at 39 years old.”
As excitement builds, the tournament—held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—has provided a platform for New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s progressive message. The Democratic Socialist and first Muslim mayor of New York has highlighted inclusivity as a key theme, promoting access to discounted tickets, affordable dining options, and public viewing parties across all five boroughs.
“We said from the beginning that the World Cup belongs to New Yorkers,” Mamdani stated, having made appearances at various watch parties, including one at Rikers Island during the Argentina-England semifinal.
In a city known for its diverse population—home to over 700 distinct languages—Mamdani’s message stands in contrast to previous hardline policies from the Trump administration, which made travel difficult for citizens of certain countries. Notably, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S., and the Iranian national team faced limitations that required them to use Mexico as their base camp during the tournament.
Trump, who arrived in New York City on Friday, is expected to attend the final alongside FIFA President Gianni Infantino at the New Jersey Stadium, formerly known as MetLife Stadium, in East Rutherford.
