Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani: Hello New York City, and welcome back to the Morning Pitch, or in today's case, the Afternoon Pitch. You give us five minutes; we'll give you the World Cup. At 8 p.m. this evening, one of the most fascinating matches of the World Cup, the third hosted at New York-New Jersey Stadium, will kick off: Senegal vs. Norway, the Lions of Teranga vs. The Nordic Vikings. And just as the Norse once rode across great expanses of water, tens of thousands of New Yorkers will cross the Hudson to find their seats at what could very well be a Group I decider. For those preparing to attend the game in person, get excited and plan ahead. First, the forecast: temperatures will cool down a bit this evening, with lows in the mid-60s. We're likely to see some heavy rain begin soon and continue throughout the afternoon and overnight. Do not underestimate the weather. Today's downpours may be intense, thunderstorms may be severe, and winds may be strong. In the words of Fat Joe, "Yesterday's weather is not today's weather."
Please exercise caution while traveling. Take public transit where possible, and do not bike or drive through floodwaters. If rainfall, winds, or storms become severe, please go inside and wait out the dangerous conditions before beginning your journey. Pack a raincoat and stay vigilant. Sign up for emergency notifications by texting NotifyNYC to 692-692. As you get ready to travel to New York-New Jersey Stadium, I'm strongly encouraging you to rely on public transit. World Cup bus shuttles are sold out, which means that your best bet will be riding New Jersey Transit. There are still tickets, but they will likely go fast, so please buy one in advance at NYNJFWC26.com. Due to inclement weather, riders traveling from Penn Station are strongly encouraged to proceed directly to your designated station entrance so that you can access indoor boarding queues. However you are getting to the stadium, give yourself time by leaving at least four hours before kickoff. If you are watching this live, that means plan to leave in the next hour.
After all, if you arrive early, you'll not regret watching Derby County's very own Norwegian center-back, Sondre Langås, run sprints. Or left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf - who shares a name with the true Senegal great - warm up. And remember, once you arrive at the stadium, there are restrictions on what you can bring inside with you. You will be limited to one disposable plastic water bottle, and all bags must both be transparent and meet size restrictions. So, no backpacks, large purses or strollers.
For those who are considering driving into Midtown today, I'm urging you not to do so. This match is occurring during evening rush hour on a weeknight. There is a gridlock alert, which means that we are expecting heavy traffic and significant delays. Leave your car at home and take the subway, ride a bike or walk. Bus and shuttle corridors and lanes have already begun and will remain in effect until 1 a.m. Fifth and Sixth Avenues from 42nd Street to 59th Street will be dedicated to buses and shuttles; as will 42nd Street from First to 12th Avenue; West 40th Street between Eighth and 11th Avenues; and West 41st Street between Eighth and 10th Avenues. And if you are planning to watch the game from somewhere across the five boroughs, I want to remind you to take advantage of the $26 meal deal program offered by more than 900 restaurants and bars across our city. Just visit nyctourism.com and scroll down to Five Borough Winners special.
Tonight, a Norwegian team will stride out onto a World Cup pitch for only the second time since they last qualified for this tournament in 1998. The first time was on Tuesday when they defeated Iraq 4-1. This is a serious side. They have players like Martin Ødegaard, the Arsenal captain and midfield maestro. They boast fullbacks like Julien Ryerson, whose hair is as audacious as his runs up the wing. And then there's Erling Braut Haaland, a mere mention of his name enough to strike fear into the heart of defenses. It is also a team, like so many others in this tournament, made up of players with roots from around the world. Antonio Nusa, their wonder kid with world-class potential, was born in Norway to a Nigerian father. Oscar Bobb has Gambian heritage. Even Haaland was born overseas to Norwegian parents in England. When he speaks English, it's with a Yorkshire accent.
In a political moment where immigrants are so frequently treated with derision and disdain, subject to enormous cruelty targeted by the state, made to feel as if they are the other, let this Norwegian team, and so many others, serve as a response. As thousands of Norwegian fans from Oslo and Bergen and Molde and across the five boroughs filter into New York-New Jersey Stadium this evening, they will observe a few sacred traditions. They will do the customary Viking row, punctuated by the rhythmic shouts that even today - centuries since the last long ship set sale - probably send a shiver down the spine of anyone living in the British Isles. They will loudly sing Alt for Norge - or All for Norway - their fan anthem named after a slogan of solidarity from the Second World War. And whether they can trace their Norwegian lineage back 20 generations, or whether they settled in Norway only a few years ago, seeking a new home where freedom could be found, these fans will cheer side by side for a team that plays beautifully, plays creatively and above all, plays together. With all that being said, Senegal Rekk. Enjoy the match, New York City.
