Soccer: The Passion for the World Cup Opens at Arlington Museum of Art
Published on May 05, 2026
In celebration of the 2026 World Cup games, the Arlington Museum of Art is proud to present Soccer: The Passion for the World Cup, a multi-nationally collaborative exhibition exclusively coming to North America for the World Cup 2026 games. Arlington, TX will be the sole location for this once-in-a-lifetime exhibition.
Developed for the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022 and expanded for the North American 2026 World Cup, the collaboration includes unique, original items from the Museo del Calcio Internazionale in Rome, Italy, Contemporanea Progetti in Florence, Italy.
Soccer: The Passion for the World Cup takes visitors on a historical exploration, retracing the evolution of the world’s most popular sport, from its ancient origins to the rise of modern international association football, culminating in the famous World Cup. Guests are invited to relive pivotal moments in both men’s and women’s soccer while uncovering the rich history of the World Cup. Visitors will have the opportunity to view the evolution of soccer gear and memorabilia, including uniforms worn by legendary players, original posters, and photographs. Additionally, the exhibit will feature immersive installations and historical and modern videos that relive the most iconic moments in the history of soccer and World Cup competitions.
"As Arlington welcomes thousands of visitors to the FIFA World Cup, we hope fans of the sport will get the chance to experience the extensive history and passion poured into the sport by its players and teams through this exhibition.” Says Director of Exhibitions, Kendall Quirk. “Soccer has an innate ability to connect people across continents and that's exactly what the AMA will showcase this summer."
This unique exhibition showcases the remarkable achievements and milestones of many great champions while exploring the profound passion for the world’s most widely played sport that has the unifying power to unite people and cultures from across the globe.
Soccer: The Passion for the World Cup opens May 2, 2026, and closes August 31, 2026.
Tickets can be purchased at ArlingtonMuseum.org. Advance ticket reservations are strongly recommended. The exhibit is suitable for all ages.
About Contemporanea Progetti
Contemporanea Progetti, based in Florence, Italy, specializes in organizing and producing international temporary exhibitions that highlight Italy's rich artistic, historical, and cultural heritage. Since its founding in 1999, Contemporanea Progetti has linked Italian museums with prestigious institutions worldwide, successfully organizing over 200 exhibitions that convey compelling stories through high-quality cultural, artistic, and scientific content. The organization has collaborated with more than 100 museums across all four continents, striving to promote culture globally. Its team comprises art historians, architects, archaeologists, graphic designers, video makers, and communications experts.
For more information, visit https://www.contemporaneaprogetti.it/it/home-2/
About Museo del Calcio Internazionale
Located in Rome, Italy, Museo del Calcio Internazionale is the first international football museum in Italy. The museum was created to serve as a reference point and meeting place for fans and athletes from around the world. Their mission is to foster culture and educate through the value of sport and sports culture as a means of expression. Their private collection features over 10,000 items, including memorabilia worn by soccer players from 1890 to the present day, representing all national teams worldwide, the major clubs from every European championship, and all Italian teams in every category.
For more information, visit https://www.museodelcalcio.com/
About the Arlington Museum of Art
A thriving visual arts museum in the heart of North Texas, the Arlington Museum of Art (AMA) is constantly in motion, with ever-changing exhibits and experiences that unite art, technology, innovation, and education. In keeping with our growing reputation for ground-breaking exhibitions and programming, coupled with our hometown pride, in 2024, the new AMA opened in the heart of Arlington’s Entertainment District. We serve our community and visitors as a new kind of arts destination, presenting the world’s great masters alongside the very best of contemporary art and evolving genres of experiential art. Our unwavering commitment to fostering creativity, conversation, and connection brings together diverse art, artists, and audiences of all ages, transforming them through the power of art.
The Arlington Museum of Art is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to championing creativity and providing access to art for the educational enrichment and cultural development of the community. For more information, visit arlingtonmuseum.org/news.