North American museums launch World Cup-themed exhibitions amid political tensions
As we gear up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19, various museums across Canada, Mexico, and the U.S. are launching sports-themed exhibitions to promote unity. The Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) is showcasing "Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture," which runs until August 23 and features a conference with artist Hank Willis Thomas. Meanwhile, LACMA has "Fútbol Is Life," displaying Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr.'s miniature models until July 26. In Mexico City, Museo Jumex is presenting "Football & Art: A Shared Emotion," curated by Guillermo Santamarina, also until July 26. The American Museum of Natural History in New York has "For the Win" until January 2027, alongside "Game On!" at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto and “Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait” at The Bass Museum of Art in Miami Beach.
Key facts
- 2026 FIFA World Cup runs 11 June–19 July across Canada, Mexico, and the US.
- Pérez Art Museum Miami opened 'Get in the Game: Sports, Art, Culture' until 23 August.
- Hank Willis Thomas created a quilted replica of Picasso's Guernica from sports uniforms.
- LACMA's 'Fútbol Is Life' features Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr.'s gum-wrapper models until 26 July.
- Museo Jumex's 'Football & Art: A Shared Emotion' includes Sofía Echeverri's embroidery on Mexico's 1971 women's team.
- American Museum of Natural History's 'For the Win' displays the Vince Lombardi Trophy designed by Tiffany & Co.
- New York Liberty's championship ring includes a secret compartment with earrings.
- Several exhibitions are timed to the World Cup, including 'Zidane: A 21st Century Portrait' at The Bass Museum.
Entities
Artists
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Pablo Picasso
- Lyndon J. Barrois, Sr.
- Wangechi Mutu
- Maurizio Cattelan
- Sofía Echeverri
- Diego Berruecos
- Marta Minujín
- Vikki Tobak
- Guillermo Santamarina
- Britt Salvesen
- Franklin Sirmans
- Adam Abdalla
Institutions
- Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM)
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
- Cultural Counsel
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
- Museo Jumex
- American Museum of Natural History
- Aga Khan Museum
- Museo del Caracol
- Mariane Ibrahim
- Reefline
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
- High Line
- Arlington Museum of Art
- The Bass Museum of Art
- Tiffany & Co.
- Jason of Beverly Hills
- L'Enchanteur
- New York Liberty
- WNBA
- New York Yankees
- New York Police Department
- NFL
- Major League Baseball
- NWSL
- MLS
- FIFA
Locations
- Miami
- United States
- Los Angeles
- California
- Mexico City
- Mexico
- New York
- New York City
- Toronto
- Canada
- Miami Beach
- Texas
- Arlington
- Brooklyn
- Brazil
- Buenos Aires
- Argentina