Exhibition Explores Design's Role in Shaping World Cup History and Cultural Memory

The Franz Mayer Museum in Mexico City is presenting 'Futbol: Diseñando una Pasión,' an exhibition examining how design has influenced the cultural identity and collective memory of FIFA World Cup tournaments held in the Americas. Curated by Kevin Moore, the show features over 250 artifacts from international collections, including the National Football Museum. The display traces nearly a century of history, from the inaugural 1930 tournament in Uruguay to the upcoming 2026 event co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It analyzes various design scales, from graphic elements like posters, tickets, and programs to architectural stadium designs, such as the iconic Estadio Centenario, and the technological evolution of soccer balls and team uniforms. The exhibition highlights how each tournament created a distinct visual identity, referencing specific editions like the 1970 World Cup in Mexico for its powerful graphics, Argentina 1978 for its political context, and Mexico 1986 for its memorable mascot, Pique. It also dedicates a section to the pioneering 1971 Women's World Championship in Mexico. Artifacts associated with legendary players, including Pelé, Diego Maradona, Hugo Sánchez, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Lionel Messi, illustrate the intersection of fashion, technology, and athletic performance. The exhibition includes contemporary artistic interventions, such as works by Demián Flores and Rodrigo Ímaz, that engage with themes of material recycling and reinterpretation. By exploring branding, digital culture, and global industry, the presentation argues that design is fundamental to how soccer is experienced, remembered, and emotionally inhabited. The exhibition is scheduled to run from March 25 to August 16, 2026.