Blab Sports
Qatar-Sponsored Football Exhibition Opens in Mexico City Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The Museo Jumex in Mexico City welcomed visitors on June 10, 2026, to its new show, Objects of Glory: Iconic Moments in the History of Football. Running through August 30, the exhibition is part of the Qatar‑Canada‑Mexico 2026 Year of Culture and offers a sweeping look at the sport’s evolution over more than a century.
The opening ceremony drew a diverse delegation, including Qatar’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mohammed Sultan Al‑Kuwari; diplomats from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Morocco; Mexican officials; and Eugenio López, president of Fundación Jumex. The event was a joint effort by Qatar Museums, the 3‑2‑1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Museo Jumex.
Central to the display is the jersey worn by Diego Maradona during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter‑final victory over England at Estadio Azteca. Alongside it, visitors can examine historic match balls, boots, trophies, artworks, and personal keepsakes linked to Pelé, Maradona, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, and Kylian Mbappé. The collection, which spans more than 130 years, moves beyond match highlights to explore how football shapes culture, identity, and collective memory.
By presenting everyday objects and treasured memorabilia, the show tells the stories behind moments that have defined the sport and inspired millions worldwide. It aligns with the Year of Culture’s goal of strengthening connections between nations through art, heritage, sport, education, and innovation. Mexico’s preparation to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup makes the timing of the exhibition particularly resonant.
Qatar Museums, founded in 2005, oversees institutions such as the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf, and the 3‑2‑1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, which opened in March 2022 as the Middle East’s first sports‑focused museum. The 3‑2‑1 museum covers 19,000 square metres and is linked to Khalifa International Stadium. Museo Jumex, located in the Polanco neighbourhood, opened in 2013 in a building designed by David Chipperfield and is part of Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo. The foundation promotes contemporary art in Mexico and offers scholarships and grants to artists.
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, held from 31 May to 29 June in Mexico, was the first tournament that Mexico hosted twice, after the 1970 edition. Argentina, led by Maradona, won the title after defeating West Germany in the final at Estadio Azteca. The quarter‑final match against England, where Maradona scored the infamous “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century,” remains one of the most memorable moments in football history. The jersey displayed in the exhibition is the very shirt Maradona wore during that match, making it a tangible link to that historic event.
The Year of Culture, launched by Qatar, Canada and Mexico, aims to strengthen connections between nations through art, heritage, sport, education and innovation. By showcasing football artifacts alongside contemporary art, the exhibition exemplifies the initiative’s interdisciplinary approach and highlights how sport can serve as a cultural bridge.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the exhibition provides fans a chance to experience the sport’s rich heritage while building excitement for the tournament. The show will remain open through August 30, giving visitors in Mexico City and beyond an opportunity to explore football’s legacy. The exhibition’s focus on iconic moments and cultural impact underscores the enduring influence of football across borders and generations.
The opening ceremony drew a diverse delegation, including Qatar’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mohammed Sultan Al‑Kuwari; diplomats from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Morocco; Mexican officials; and Eugenio López, president of Fundación Jumex. The event was a joint effort by Qatar Museums, the 3‑2‑1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Museo Jumex.
Central to the display is the jersey worn by Diego Maradona during Argentina’s 1986 World Cup quarter‑final victory over England at Estadio Azteca. Alongside it, visitors can examine historic match balls, boots, trophies, artworks, and personal keepsakes linked to Pelé, Maradona, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, and Kylian Mbappé. The collection, which spans more than 130 years, moves beyond match highlights to explore how football shapes culture, identity, and collective memory.
By presenting everyday objects and treasured memorabilia, the show tells the stories behind moments that have defined the sport and inspired millions worldwide. It aligns with the Year of Culture’s goal of strengthening connections between nations through art, heritage, sport, education, and innovation. Mexico’s preparation to host matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup makes the timing of the exhibition particularly resonant.
Qatar Museums, founded in 2005, oversees institutions such as the Museum of Islamic Art, Mathaf, and the 3‑2‑1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, which opened in March 2022 as the Middle East’s first sports‑focused museum. The 3‑2‑1 museum covers 19,000 square metres and is linked to Khalifa International Stadium. Museo Jumex, located in the Polanco neighbourhood, opened in 2013 in a building designed by David Chipperfield and is part of Fundación Jumex Arte Contemporáneo. The foundation promotes contemporary art in Mexico and offers scholarships and grants to artists.
The 1986 FIFA World Cup, held from 31 May to 29 June in Mexico, was the first tournament that Mexico hosted twice, after the 1970 edition. Argentina, led by Maradona, won the title after defeating West Germany in the final at Estadio Azteca. The quarter‑final match against England, where Maradona scored the infamous “Hand of God” and the “Goal of the Century,” remains one of the most memorable moments in football history. The jersey displayed in the exhibition is the very shirt Maradona wore during that match, making it a tangible link to that historic event.
The Year of Culture, launched by Qatar, Canada and Mexico, aims to strengthen connections between nations through art, heritage, sport, education and innovation. By showcasing football artifacts alongside contemporary art, the exhibition exemplifies the initiative’s interdisciplinary approach and highlights how sport can serve as a cultural bridge.
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, the exhibition provides fans a chance to experience the sport’s rich heritage while building excitement for the tournament. The show will remain open through August 30, giving visitors in Mexico City and beyond an opportunity to explore football’s legacy. The exhibition’s focus on iconic moments and cultural impact underscores the enduring influence of football across borders and generations.
