A free exhibition celebrating nearly a century of football history has opened in the heart of New York City as the FIFA World Cup 2026 gets underway across North America.
The FIFA Museum presented by Hyundai launched its special showcase, “Legacies of Champions,” at Rockefeller Center, drawing strong interest from football fans ahead of the tournament’s climax.
A Free Exhibition at the Heart of Manhattan
Located at 50 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan, the exhibition opened to the public on 11 June, the same day as the World Cup’s opening match between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City. It will remain open through 19 July, the date of the tournament final, which will be played across the Hudson River at New York New Jersey Stadium. Admission is free, though advance reservations are available through the Rockefeller Center website.
The exhibition was formally inaugurated by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who described the showcase as an opportunity for fans to experience “deep immersion in emotions, in feelings, in heartbeats” tied to the tournament. He thanked Hyundai Motor Company, the exhibition’s presenting partner, for helping bring the experience to life.
Memorabilia From Football’s Biggest Legends
Visitors can view historic objects and personal items linked to some of football’s most celebrated names, including Pele, Diego Maradona, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The displays include match-worn jerseys, boots and balls connected to past World Cup tournaments, alongside a replica of the trophy first awarded at the inaugural 1930 World Cup.
A dedicated showcase highlights jerseys from all 48 nations competing in the 2026 tournament, the largest field in World Cup history following the expansion from 32 teams. Large screens throughout the exhibition also play footage from past World Cup matches, giving visitors a chance to relive iconic tournament moments.
Robotics and Innovation on Display
The exhibition also looks toward the future of fan engagement. Hyundai has incorporated robotics technology developed with Boston Dynamics into the experience, with appearances from the company’s Spot and Atlas robots forming part of the interactive displays exploring innovation in sport.
New York’s Role as a World Cup Host City
New York is one of the host cities for the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States, staging eight matches in total, including the final. The exhibition adds to the city’s growing football atmosphere ahead of the tournament’s conclusion, with Rockefeller Center transforming into one of the city’s major gathering spots for fans. An outdoor fan zone is set to open just outside the exhibition entrance beginning 6 July.
The “Legacies of Champions” showcase in New York joins related FIFA Museum exhibitions running during the tournament in Miami, as well as in Vancouver and Toronto in Canada, extending the celebration of World Cup history across all three host nations.
Boosting Tourism Ahead of the Final
With the World Cup final approaching, the free exhibition is seen as one of several activations contributing to increased visitor numbers and tourism activity in New York City. Organizers say the showcase offers both local residents and international visitors a distinctive cultural experience in the lead-up to the championship match on 19 July.
Photo Credits: The FIFA Museum
