Published 01 September 2026 | Events

TL;DR: The “Legends of the World Cups” exhibition at the Yacimiento Arqueologico Barrio Andalusi traces football ’s tournament history through 80 objects and remains open until 24 September.

Football legends on display in Almeria

A new football exhibition in Almeria is offering a detailed look at the history of the World Cup, from England 1966 to the latest tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

Legends of the World Cups opened at the Yacimiento Arqueologico Barrio Andalusi and can be visited until 24 September. The exhibition has been created by the Museo del Deporte association and organised by the Area of Ciudad Activa, with support from the city’s tourism and promotion department and the Red de Museos Municipales de Almeria.

The display also places particular attention on the achievements of Spain’s national team, including its World Cup victories in 2010 and July 2026, as well as its European Championship wins in 2008, 2012 and 2024.

Objects from every tournament

The exhibition brings together 80 key objects linked to the different World Cups. Each item is presented with a short chronological explanation of the achievements and stories associated with the tournament and its leading players.

Visitors can see the official balls used at the World Cups, along with shirts from winning national teams signed by players who took part in those campaigns. The collection also includes football boots, signed shirts, photographs and explanatory material covering several generations of the sport.

Among the most recognisable pieces are a boot belonging to Pele, a Beckenbauer shirt and the memory of Naranjito, the mascot of the 1982 World Cup in Spain. The display also features Adidas’ Azteca 86 ball, remembered for its change in design, and Luis Enrique’s shirt from the 1994 World Cup in the United States.

Other items include Zidane’s boot from France 1998, Ronaldo’s boot from the 2002 tournament in South Korea and Japan, Griezmann’s shirt from Russia 2018 and a boot worn by Leo Messi during the World Cup in Qatar.

Spain’s football story

A dedicated section follows Spain’s major successes in both the World Cup and the European Championship. It includes material connected with the 2010 World Cup triumph and the national team’s more recent second star, as well as the European titles won in 2008, 2012 and 2024.

The updated exhibition includes the official 2026 World Cup ball and a Spain shirt signed by Alex Baena. It also presents the official Spain shirt and an item connected with national coach Luis de la Fuente, alongside other pieces representing the country’s international record.

The organisers say the exhibition was expanded following Spain’s latest success. Almeria is described as the first Spanish city to receive the updated version of the collection after the team’s second World Cup star.

QR audioguides available

Visitors can access audioguides using QR codes placed within the exhibition. The recordings include contributions from sports journalists from different periods, including Jose Ramon de la Morena, Jose Angel de la Casa, Alfredo Martinez, Susana Guasch and Julio Maldonado, known as “Maldini”.

This audio material adds commentary to the objects and helps place them within the wider history of the World Cup, from the tournament’s earlier eras to the modern game.

Conference on 11 September

The programme will also include a conference by Claudio Vazquez, an Almeria-based professional and head of the Spanish national team’s medical services within Luis de la Fuente’s coaching staff.

Vazquez will speak about his experience at the World Cups on Friday 11 September at 19:00. The event was announced by Antonio Casimiro, councillor for Ciudad Activa, Urban Mobility and Sport, during the exhibition’s opening.

Legends of the World Cups is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10:00 and 21:00, and on Sundays from 10:00 to 15:00, at the Yacimiento Arqueologico Barrio Andalusi. Belén Aleman, director of the archaeological site, attended the presentation.

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