FIFA will amass a new trove of memorabilia after each match of the 2026 World Cup, adding to a collection that already includes the 2018 final net and Pelé’s 1958 World Cup tracksuit. The artifacts sit in museums from Vancouver to Hong Kong, but many iconic pieces—like Ronaldinho’s 2002 jersey or Mario Götze’s 2010 boot—remain missing, to enrich the sport’s narrative.

The quest began with Pelé’s 1970 winners’ medal, which curiously resides at Saracens rugby club in North London rather than a Brazilian museum. Other highlights include the 1930 final ball, split between Argentina and Uruguay, now displayed in the club’s Allianz Collection, and a 1934 final ticket held by Italian collector Matteo Melodia, one of only three known, and inspires new collectors worldwide.

FIFA’s growing archive offers fans a tangible link to the tournament’s mythic moments, from the burnt‑to‑nothing 1950 Maracanã goalposts to the rediscovered base plate of the Jules Rimet trophy found in Zurich in 2015. By cataloguing 22 items for each of the 22 previous World Cups, the organization cements the sport’s heritage for the 2026 edition and beyond, and deepens fan connection today.