A major football exhibition has been inaugurated in Mexico City, showcasing some of the most iconic objects in the history of the sport as part of the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture.
Exhibition Details
Titled “Objects of Glory: Iconic Moments in the History of Football,” the exhibition opened at Museo Jumex on June 10 and will run until August 30. The inauguration was attended by Qatar’s Ambassador to Mexico, Mohammed Sultan Al-Kuwari, along with diplomats from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Norway, and Morocco, as well as Mexican officials and Eugenio Lopez, president of Fundacion Jumex.
Organizers and Curators
The exhibition is organized by Qatar Museums, the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, and Museo Jumex. It features 16 objects that chart football’s evolution from a popular pastime to a global cultural phenomenon. The exhibition is curated by Sheikha Najla Al-Thani.
Key Exhibits
Among the centerpiece exhibits is the match-worn jersey of Diego Maradona from Argentina’s 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal victory over England at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca. Other highlights include historic match balls, iconic jerseys, boots, trophies, artworks, and personal memorabilia spanning over 130 years of football history.
Artefacts linked to football legends such as Pele, Maradona, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, and Kylian Mbappe are also on display, illustrating the sport’s ability to transcend borders, generations, and languages. The exhibition also features the story of Honey Thaljieh, former captain of the Palestinian women’s national team, highlighting football’s role in expanding access and representation.
Statements from Officials
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.”
Eugenio Lopez, president of Fundacion Jumex, stated: “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.”
Curator Sheikha Najla Al-Thani commented: “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.”
Cultural Exchange Program
Opening as Mexico prepares to host matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the exhibition forms part of a broader cultural exchange program under the Qatar Canada and Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, which aims to strengthen ties through art, heritage, sport, education, and innovation.
