FIFA President Gianni Infantino has officially inaugurated Legacies of Champions, a free public exhibition at Rockefeller Center in New York City that chronicles the history of all 22 previous FIFA World Cup tournaments through artefacts, displays, and immersive installations.

Produced by the FIFA Museum and presented by Hyundai Motor Company, the exhibit opened on Monday, 8 June, with Infantino describing it as "an exhibition which tells us the history of the game, but which reminds us, as well, of the emotions that we lived in our life."

Football legends on hand for the opening

Several football legends joined Infantino at the opening ceremony, including Italian greats Roberto Baggio, Christian Vieri, and Marco Materazzi, French FIFA World Cup winner and FIFA Senior Football Advisor Youri Djorkaeff, and former President of the Republic of Liberia and 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year George Weah — who also serves as honorary captain of the Players' Voice Panel.

Hyundai Executive Vice-President and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sungwon Jee was also present, reflecting the company's central role as presenting partner. "[Hyundai have been] partners since many, many years — great partners who help us make this incredible exhibition happen and come to life," Infantino said.

What visitors can expect

The exhibition runs from 11 June to 19 July — opening on the same day as the FIFA World Cup 2026 opener between Mexico and South Africa in Mexico City, and closing the day the tournament's final is played across the Hudson River at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Among the highlights are the iconic Jules Rimet Trophy, which served as FIFA's World Cup prize from 1930 to 1970, and the current FIFA World Cup Trophy, both on display on select days. The Final, a cinematic installation capturing the drama of football's greatest stage, and The Wall of Champions — honouring all 450 players who have lifted the trophy — are also featured.

Jerseys from the record 48 participating nations at FIFA World Cup 2026 will be on show, alongside an exhibit spotlighting Hyundai Motor Company's innovation work in robotics and football. An outdoor fan zone will open just outside the entrance from 6 July.

Legacies of Champions also joins FIFA Museum exhibits in Miami, Vancouver, and Toronto, which are scheduled to run during the tournament itself. Entry is free, walk-ins are welcome, and advance reservations can be made online.

"I'm sure this place, here at Rockefeller Center, will be flooded with fans from all over the world," Infantino said, "just to get a deep immersion in emotions, in feelings, in heartbeats, and, ultimately, in what we try to do with the (FIFA) World Cup, which is uniting the world around a joyful event."