Zohran Mamdani launches 'Soccer Streets' as FIFA World Cup kick-off nears

The initiative will make its way to 50 public schools across all five of New York's boroughs -Credit:AP

The program will see 'Soccer Streets' reach 50 public schools spanning New York's five boroughs before the World Cup, which kicks off next month.

At each location, there will be car-free streets outside the schools, with the spaces set to be converted into fields, art stations, and block parties.

"The World Cup is coming to New York City, and we want every kid in this city to experience the joy of the game," said Mamdani.

"Soccer Streets takes that energy directly into our neighborhoods - closing streets to cars, opening them to play and making sure this celebration isn't reserved for people who can afford a ticket.

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"Open Streets is one of the best tools we have to reclaim public space for the public and these activations are another step toward bringing the World Cup to our city's young people."

New York City's Department of Transportation commissioner Mike Flynn added, "For so many schools, the street outside their door is the only outdoor space they have. Soccer Streets shows what's possible when we give that space back to kids - for play, for learning, for community.

"We're thrilled to partner on this celebration, and we want every school in the city to know the door is open to join Open Streets year-round."

The tournament is scheduled to kick off on June 11, with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening game, a rematch of the 2010 opener. South Korea and Czechia will then battle it out in the second match of the competition, before fellow host nations Canada and the USA face Bosnia and Herzegovina and Paraguay, respectively.