With the 2026 World Cup imminent, many in the USA are looking at the tournament as a opportunity to encourage younger fans to foster a love for the sport and in the Big Apple, the aim is to increase this passion for the game not only on the fields, but also in the streets.

In New York, one of the key cities of the World Cup, the city is looking to attract young people to play soccer and to help boost this move, have created a ‘Soccer Streets’ project, which aims to allow children and teenagers to experience the tournament in a different way.

What will Soccer Streets be like?

The mayor of the Big Apple, Zohran Mamdani, mentioned at the launch event that he wants the world football festival to reach the neighborhoods of what is considered one of the largest cities on the planet.

This initiative is part of the ‘Open Streets for Schools’ program, which offers free activities for more than 30,000 students. These events are geared toward young people who cannot attend the World Cup stadiums but want to participate, as the New York City government seeks to transform the areas around 50 public schools into street soccer fields.

“We want every child in the city to experience the game,” said celebrated Arsenal FC fan Mamdani, who says he aims to give all New Yorkers a different kind of World Cup.

When will the Soccer Streets activities take place?

According to local channel News12 Bronx, the government will install a mobile court right on the street, next to one of the selected schools, and the games will be available during school hours, either during recess or after classes end.

The NGO, Street Lab, has begun receiving requests from schools, which should approach the organization to request these portable courts that will provide fun for a large number of students during the World Cup, as the program will be available until June 26.

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