Arsenal-Themed Eid Outfit Sends Mayor Viral
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani showcased his deep love for Arsenal by attending Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx wearing a custom Arsenal-themed kurta.
The traditional tunic, inspired by Arsenal’s 2025–26 away kit featuring navy colors and red lightning-bolt patterns, quickly caught attention online. Photos of the unique outfit spread rapidly across social media, sparking admiration among football fans and Eid celebrants alike.
Born and raised in Uganda, Mamdani made history as New York’s first Muslim and Asian-American mayor. Yet beyond politics, he has long been known for his devotion to football — especially Arsenal.
His connection to the club began at age 10 when his uncle gave him fridge magnets featuring Arsenal legends such as Sylvain Wiltord, David Seaman, Sol Campbell, and Thierry Henry. Since then, Mamdani has remained a passionate supporter, celebrating the club’s achievements with the same excitement as fans in North London.
His love of football, however, goes beyond Arsenal. Mamdani has earned praise on social media for his detailed knowledge of lesser-known footballers from the 1990s and is also a shareholder in Spanish club Real Oviedo.
He joined nearly 20,000 supporters in 2012 when Real Oviedo launched an international share campaign to help rescue the club from financial collapse.
Since being elected mayor in November, Mamdani has also weighed in on football-related issues. He recently criticized FIFA’s use of dynamic pricing for the 2026 World Cup and introduced a lottery that gives 1,000 New York residents the chance to buy tickets for $50.
Public demand was immediate, with the daily entry limit of 50,000 people reached within just three minutes of the lottery opening.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will conclude at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, home to the NFL’s New York Jets and New York Giants.
For now, Mamdani’s Arsenal-inspired Eid attire has captured the imagination of supporters — while also raising a playful question: if Arsenal were to win the Champions League, how might the mayor celebrate next? With Arsenal set to face Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May, fans may soon find out.
