New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has said he will remain neutral when Argentina and Spain meet in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Sunday.
Speaking during a media briefing at City Hall, Mamdani declined to back either side, joking that teams he supports often end up losing. Instead, he said he was simply looking forward to an entertaining final between the two football powerhouses.
Viral Messi and Yamal photo caught his attention
The mayor also reflected on the widely circulated photograph showing a young Lionel Messi bathing baby Lamine Yamal during a charity photoshoot years ago.
Mamdani admitted that when he first saw the image online, he believed it had been created using artificial intelligence before discovering it was authentic.
According to him, the story behind the photograph makes Sunday’s final even more remarkable.
“I initially thought the image of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal was AI-generated,” Mamdani said, adding that seeing the two now meet on football’s biggest stage is extraordinary.
Argentina and Spain set for World Cup showdown
Argentina and Spain will face each other at the New York New Jersey Stadium in the final match of the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The fixture brings together the reigning South American and European champions in one of the tournament’s most anticipated encounters.
The competition began on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, with the final bringing the month-long tournament to a close.