A new public art project titled “The Art of the Game” will bring 23 soccer ball-themed sculptures to New York City’s five boroughs and parts of New Jersey, celebrating the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Conceived by arts accessibility initiative ARTS 14C and the FIFA World Cup 2026 New York New Jersey Host Committee, the sculptures will be on view from June 11 to September 7. Artists include Katherine Bernhardt, Hank Willis Thomas, Bony Ramirez, and Tomokazu Matsuyama, selected by leaders from major museums such as MoMA, the Met, the Whitney, and the Brooklyn Museum. Christie’s is the official auction partner. The modular sculptures mimic a traditional soccer ball’s design and will be displayed at locations like Rockefeller Plaza, Grand Central Terminal, MetLife Stadium, and the Brooklyn Museum.
The project matters because it merges high-profile contemporary art with a global sporting event, bringing art into public spaces across two states. It also marks the last philanthropic endeavor of renowned art patron and collector Agnes Gund, who died last year and was instrumental in engaging museum leaders and gallerists. Her close friend Diana Burroughs, executive director of ARTS 14C’s artist residency program, noted that the project would not have been possible without Gund’s goodwill, underscoring the enduring impact of major art philanthropists on public art initiatives.