Heather Fordham

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May 11, 2026, 9:58 AM

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Updated

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With the 2026 FIFA World Cup set to arrive in the Tri‑State this June, New York City officials are preparing to bring the excitement far beyond MetLife Stadium, including directly to public school students.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani is expected to announce on Monday that the city will launch “World Cup Field Days,” a program designed to give students across all five boroughs a chance to experience the tournament atmosphere without leaving their neighborhoods.

World Cup Czar Maya Handa says the initiative aims to make the global event accessible to families who may not be able to attend matches due to cost or transportation barriers.

“The goal is for kids across the city to be able to experience the World Cup,” Handa said.

The program will bring a traveling pitch to 50 schools, including PS 32 in Belmont now through June 26.

Streets outside participating schools will temporarily close to traffic as the block transforms into a pop‑up soccer pitch where students can play matches, practice skills and cheer on classmates. Handa said the city prioritized schools that lack dedicated outdoor space for recess.

When asked about concerns that the World Cup may feel out of reach for many New Yorkers, Handa said the administration is focused on equity.

“MetLife can only hold 80,000 people, but 8 million people in New York City are going to be experiencing the World Cup,” she said. “The mayor encouraged me to find ways for folks, particularly in the outer boroughs, to benefit.”

In addition to the school‑based events, the city will host free fan zones in each borough offering watch parties and activities throughout the tournament.

Free fan zones are expected to be activated:

• The Bronx: Bronx Terminal Market, June 13 - 14. Matchday programming and local cultural programming.

• Brooklyn: Brooklyn Fan Zone, June 13 - July 19. Daily programming and match viewings.

"We know that people are going to come to the city to celebrate the World Cup, but they should stay longer. They should spend their dollars here. They should support our small businesses and experience the best of what New York has to offer so that they come back," said Handa.

The first match of the FIFA World Cup is set for June 13.