Collection Of World Cup Jerseys Brings Soccer History To Life

BusinessSportsMoneyCollection Of World Cup Jerseys Brings Soccer History To LifeByClemente Lisi,Contributor.Follow AuthorJun 12, 2026, 12:15am EDTMOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15: Kylian Mbappe of France celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Michael Regan - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)FIFA via Getty ImagesA one-of-a-kind collection of jerseys worn by some of the greatest soccer players in history are on display in New York just in time for the FIFA World Cup, allowing fans the chance to get a rare look at the iconic threads. The three-day exhibit, running now through Sunday, features an impressive lineup that includes shirts of legends such as Diego Maradona, Roberto Baggio, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe. The pop-up was curated by MatchWornShirt, a Dutch-based company that specializes in auctioning game-worn jerseys. The company said the exhibit will get American fans in the World Cup spirit as well as turn some of them into future shirt collectors. The World Cup, which runs through July 19, is co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The tournament features an expanded field of 48 teams and includes 104 matches. “The next five weeks will really help soccer grow in America. It’s the biggest sporting event in the world, and even though soccer hasn't traditionally been the top priority for every American sports fan, I hope that seeing the European and Asian crowds and how passionately they celebrate the game will encourage more Americans to get on board,” said Bob Zonderwijk, who founded MatchWornShirt with his brother Tijmen. “I think that enthusiasm can be contagious.” The jerseys on display hailed from several places, including players’ closets, museums and collectors scattered around the world. For example, the Maradona jersey, from his 1990 World Cup match against the Soviet Union, is owned by an Italian coll...