New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani says he will remain neutral ahead of Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

Speaking to reporters at City Hall, Mamdani joked that every team he has supported during the tournament has gone on to lose, prompting him to avoid backing either side in the final.

“Honestly, everyone I supported has lost, so I feel like whoever I mention will end up losing,” he said. “I’m looking forward to a great match.”

The mayor also reflected on a widely shared photograph of Argentina captain Lionel Messi with Spain’s teenage star Lamine Yamal as a child, admitting he initially believed the image had been created using artificial intelligence.

“I thought the image of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal was AI-generated,” Mamdani said, referring to the photograph of Messi holding the then-infant Yamal during a charity photoshoot. “Now these two are set to compete this Sunday in New York and New Jersey, which is quite extraordinary.”

Mamdani described the tournament as remarkable and said he was excited to watch two of football’s biggest stars meet on the sport’s grandest stage.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup began on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City and concludes on Sunday at the New York New Jersey Stadium. Argentina, the defending world champions, will face European champions Spain in a highly anticipated final after both sides advanced through the knockout stages.