22 World Cup artifacts: How FIFA preserves tournament history through memorabilia
By
Connor O'Halloran
A five-star bake. Worth schmearing, sharing, saving.
Summary
This article explores the history of all 22 FIFA World Cup tournaments through 22 pieces of memorabilia, from Pelé's 1958 tracksuit to the net from the 2018 final. It highlights how FIFA collects and preserves artifacts for its museums, while also noting significant items that remain outside its collection, such as Ronaldinho's jersey from 2002 and Mario Götze's winning boot from 2014. Each item tells a unique story about the tournament it represents.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledFIFA won't reveal how, but after every game at the 2026 World Cup this summer, it will be collecting items that will one day document the tournament.
It already has the net from the 2018 World Cup final, for example, as well as the tracksuit that Pelé wore at his first World Cup in 1958.
But there is a host of stuff that FIFA doesn't have, such as Ronaldinho's Brazil jersey from the game where he took that free kick against England in 2002, or Germany forward Mario Götze's game-winning boot from
You might also wanna read
4AD and Full Kit Launch World Cup-Themed Jersey Collection Inspired by Classic Albums
4AD has partnered with New York brand Full Kit to release a limited-edition capsule collection of football jerseys and scarves inspired by c
Pitchfork·10d ago
FIFA 2026 World Cup Clear Bag Policy: Stadium Rules on Bags, Liquids, and Flags
FIFA has implemented a clear bag policy for the 2026 World Cup, requiring fans to use only clear plastic, vinyl, or see-through PVC bags whe
Rolling Stone·1d ago
PSG Wins Second Consecutive Champions League Title; Official Merchandise Now Available Online
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Arsenal 4-3 on penalty kicks to win their second consecutive UEFA Champions League title. Following the victory
Rolling Stone·8d ago
Guinness Launches Limited-Edition Soccer Pack and Jersey Ahead of World Cup
Guinness is launching two promotional items ahead of the World Cup: a limited-edition Soccer Pack featuring four specially designed cans wit
World Cup Preview: Can Germany Reclaim Its Status as a Soccer Powerhouse?
A World Cup preview article analyzing Germany's national soccer team ahead of the tournament. It discusses Germany's historical success as a
Defector·3d ago
Adidas Unveils Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Ball with Host Country Symbolism
Adidas has unveiled the official match ball for the FIFA World Cup 2026, named Trionda, which features a distinctive design representing the
Dezeen·8mo ago