Local design outfit Crosby Studios has designed a pop-up exhibition space during the 2026 FIFA World Cup underneath New York's High Line that contains football memorabilia such as Pelé's 1958 World Cup jersey.

The pop-up marks the launch of cultural platform Home of Football. It is centred around an exhibition curated by French art collective Air Afrique that displays football archives from a private collection, set among bright green carpeting and giant glowing orbs designed by Crosby Studios.

The Home of Football space will be open through the course of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and beyond the exhibition, which contains a retail space curated by Nuriev and will host other cultural events.

It is taking place in Chelsea at a High Line 9 gallery, which features bright green branding for the occasion on its textured facade.

The interior is organised across six main sections, where objects such as Lionel Messi's first 2006 World Cup jersey, photography, and trophies are displayed in brushed metal cases as part of the Home and Away exhibition.

The items were selected by Air Afrique from the Manzano Heritage Collection, "one of football's most celebrated private collections" according to the team, while as a whole, the exhibition explores themes of "movement, belonging, aspiration, resistance, and reinvention".

Large screens and glowing circles are also distributed throughout the space.

"This concept is about the clash between football, fashion, and art culture," said Crosby Studios founder Harry Nuriev.

"The green is a digital version of the football field colour, and the circles reference both the ball and the centre point of the field, becoming symbols of movement, gathering, and play."

"It is a form of cultural transformism, translating the energy and visual codes of football into a new media format that feels open and accessible, not only to football fans, but also to people discovering this world for the first time."

Other details include metallic countertops and display units where retail items are showcased and football-shaped bean bag chairs.

The Home of Football space is dedicated to "the world's game and its influence beyond the pitch", according to the team.

Founded by American football executive Josh Murphy and German creative director Timothy Hagius, the platform plans to curate pop-ups in other cities during major football events moving forward.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway across Canada, the USA and Mexico. Other exhibitions and happenings for the games include a Populous-designed fan area in Kansas City and a snack plate designed by Gustaf Westman.

The photography  by Pauline Shapiro

The Home of Football exhibition takes place from 22 June to 19 July 2026 at High Line 9 in New York City. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.