The Paley Museum celebrates FIFA World Cup 2026

The United States men’s national soccer team had a good run in the FIFA World Cup 2026, which the nation co-hosted with Canada and Mexico.

Sadly, it ended in the knockout round against Belgium. That being said, there is plenty of history for the program dating back more than a century.

That story is told at The Paley Museum in Midtown for an exhibition called “The Global Game: Soccer in the United States and the FIFA World Cup.”

“We always love celebrating the big media story, and there is no bigger story this summer than the World Cup,” said Jason Lynch, a curator at The Paley Museum, which is all about media’s past, present and future.

The exhibit on three floors of the museum looks at the history of the U.S. team, from the early days to the 1994 team, which played well and sparked Major League Soccer, MLS, after the U.S. hosted in nine cities.

“Even as far back as the early 1900s, we had national teams in the U.S. and the U.S. actually participated in the first ever World Cup in 1930,” said Lynch.

There are signed balls, game-worn jerseys, and a chance to get behind a broadcast desk and give announcing a try. There is also a soccer training experience where visitors can try their feet at three different skill stations on a mini-practice field.

The Paley Museum is also showing all the World Cup games in its renovated theaters in both English and Spanish. The exhibition will be on display all summer.

“The World Cup goes through July 19, but the World Cup fever will not necessarily end after that, so you can come all summer long and enjoy this exhibit,” said Lynch.

Plan your visit by clicking here.