An exhibition bringing together some of the most iconic objects in football history has opened at Museo Jumex in Mexico City, timed to coincide with the country’s role as a co-host of FIFA World Cup 2026. Objects of Glory: Iconic Moments in the History of Football runs from 10 June until 30 August 2026 and features 16 artefacts tracing more than 130 years of the sport.
The exhibition is organised in partnership with Qatar Museums, the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Museo Jumex, and forms part of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture. Among the objects on display is the match-worn jersey Diego Maradona wore during Argentina’s quarter-final against England at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca during the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
The opening was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Mexico, His Excellency Mohammed Sultan Al Kuwari, along with the ambassadors of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Norway, the Chargé d’Affaires of Morocco, and senior representatives from Mexico’s Secretariat of Foreign Relations.
Alongside the Maradona shirt, the exhibition displays rare historic match balls, iconic jerseys, legendary boots, trophies, artworks, and personal memorabilia connected to some of football’s most influential figures. Objects linked to Pelé, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, and Kylian Mbappé are among the highlights, illustrating how football has evolved into a cultural force that transcends borders, generations, and languages.
The exhibition was curated by Sheikha Najla Al Thani, Curator at the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum. “What interested me as a curator was not simply collecting famous objects, but exploring why certain objects become iconic. This exhibition examines how a shirt, a trophy or a match ball can come to represent a nation, a generation or a defining moment in sporting history,” she said.
Abdulla Al Mulla, Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, said: “The objects in this exhibition witnessed the moments that changed football history. Through them, we can see how a game became a global cultural phenomenon that continues to inspire people across generations and continents. We are proud to bring these stories to Mexico in partnership with Museo Jumex, a country that has played such an important role in football’s journey.”
The exhibition also highlights football’s role in expanding access and representation. Among the figures featured is Honey Thaljieh, the former captain of the Palestinian women’s national team and the only female athlete represented in the show. Her inclusion reflects the sport’s power to challenge barriers and create opportunities for participation and visibility around the world.
“We are very pleased to collaborate with the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum and Qatar Museums on Objects of Glory. This partnership allows us to bring an exceptional selection of iconic objects that have shaped the history of football to Mexican audiences, while continuing to expand the ways in which Museo Jumex engages diverse publics through meaningful cultural experiences,” said Eugenio López, President of Fundación Jumex.
Objects of Glory sits within a broader programme of cultural exchange under the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a year-long initiative building connections between communities through art, heritage, sport, education, and innovation. The three nations share the role of FIFA World Cup 2026 host, and the exhibition reflects the football culture that unites them ahead of the tournament.
Museo Jumex is located in the Miguel Hidalgo district of Mexico City and is one of Latin America’s leading contemporary art institutions. The addition of a major football heritage exhibition to its programme marks a significant broadening of its public engagement at a moment when the city is preparing to welcome football fans from around the world.
Images Courtesy of Museo Jumex
