The FIFA World Cup Trophy was unveiled in New York City on Tuesday as part of the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour, giving fans a chance to see football's most coveted prize ahead of next year's tournament. Former Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, a member of Germany's 2014 World Cup-winning team, joined New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the American Museum of Natural History for the ceremony. Fans, media representatives and schoolchildren gathered to catch a glimpse of the iconic trophy, while Schweinsteiger reflected on the significance of lifting football's greatest prize.
The former Bayern Munich and Manchester United star said seeing the trophy again brought back memories of Germany's triumph at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and highlighted how difficult it is to win the tournament. Schweinsteiger, who retired in 2019 after a successful career that also included a stint with Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, earned 121 international caps and played a key role in Germany's victory over Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final. He said the trophy tour would inspire young footballers by allowing them to see the sport's ultimate prize up close.
Mayor Mamdani welcomed the trophy to New York and said the city was ready to host the tournament. The New York/New Jersey region is scheduled to stage eight World Cup matches, including the final, between June 13 and July 19, 2026. The unveiling marks another milestone in the buildup to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and feature an expanded 48-team format for the first time.
