Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor of New York City, turned heads at Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx this week by wearing a custom kurta styled after Arsenal's 2025-26 navy and red lightning bolt away shirt — a sight that promptly went viral across social media.

The traditional loose-fitting tunic, redesigned in Arsenal's colours, was a vivid display of Mamdani's well-documented devotion to the Gunners. Born and raised in Uganda, Mamdani is New York's first Muslim and Asian-American mayor, and his love for Arsenal stretches back to childhood.

A lifelong Gunners devotion

Mamdani, now 34, traces his support back to the age of 10, when his uncle gifted him a set of fridge magnets featuring players from Arsenal's storied squads of that era — among them Sylvain Wiltord, David Seaman, Sol Campbell, and Thierry Henry.

When Arsenal clinched the Premier League title this season, Mamdani celebrated with as much passion as anyone in Highbury and Islington. His social media presence has long entertained followers with an ability to recall obscure 1990s footballers, cementing his reputation as a genuine fan rather than a casual supporter.

Beyond Arsenal: Real Oviedo shareholder

His football obsession extends well beyond north London. Mamdani is among the 20,000 individuals who participated in an international share-buying campaign launched by Spanish club Real Oviedo in 2012, when the side faced bankruptcy. He remains a shareholder in the club to this day.

World Cup 2026 tickets and New York

Mamdani, elected mayor in November, has also taken aim at FIFA over its use of dynamic pricing for FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets. In response, he launched a lottery giving 1,000 New York residents the opportunity to purchase tournament tickets at $50 (£37.30) each. The lottery's 50,000-person daily entry limit was hit within three minutes of opening.

New Jersey's MetLife Stadium — home to NFL franchises the New York Jets and the New York Giants — is scheduled to host the final of the 48-team tournament, which spans the United States, Mexico, and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.

One question remains

With Mamdani already combining Premier League glory and Eid al-Adha celebrations in such spectacular fashion, supporters and observers alike are asking what his reaction might be if Arsenal go one step further. The Gunners face Paris St-Germain in the UEFA Champions League final in Budapest on Saturday, 30 May at 17:00 BST.