New Yorkers Queue for Hours for Zohran Mamdani's Affordable World Cup Jerseys

Thousands of New Yorkers reportedly waited for hours in long lines to purchase limited-edition World Cup jerseys, released by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The jerseys, priced at approximately $50, were offered as an affordable alternative to FIFA's official merchandise, which can exceed $150.

Available exclusively at the city-government-run NYC City Store in Manhattan on June 12, the launch saw residents arriving before dawn. Many individuals were observed working remotely from their laptops and tablets while waiting in the nearly 90-degree weather. City employees distributed water to those in line, which reportedly wrapped around the block hours after the store opened.

The jerseys feature New York-themed elements, including a pigeon and a Big Apple-themed soccer logo on the chest, along with the number '26' on the back. Local artist Arsh Raziuddin designed the merchandise, which was manufactured by Mazzi Sports in a Brooklyn factory.

Production was limited to 1,500 jerseys in total, with 500 units available in each of the three colorways: red-and-blue, black-and-white, and black-and-yellow. This scarcity contributed to a robust resale market, with some jerseys later appearing on resale websites for $900 or more, and a bundle of two listed for $1,400.

Mayor Mamdani stated in a press release that the jerseys represent more than just team support, emphasizing "pride in where you come from and who you are." He added that the initiative aimed to ensure "nobody is priced out." According to Business Insider, several individuals expressed their support for the mayor while waiting in line.