June 2 – Having been under threat of closure when FIFA president Gianni Infantino first began his tenure at the top of the world game – viewed as a symbol of everything that was wrong with the old world of FIFA under Sepp Blatter – the FIFA Museum has come full circle and is spawning a new FIFA Museum in a different country.
FIFA has embarked on a partnership with Legends to create the first permanent exhibition outside Switzerland, in Madrid. The exhibition, which opened June 1, is focussed on the history of the men’s and women’s World Cups and showcases original objects and memorabilia used in matches and by the players.
FIFA Museum Managing Director Marco Fazzone said: “The opening of our first permanent exhibition abroad is a significant milestone for the FIFA Museum. It’s a crucial step towards our global strategy, and it allows us to share the magic of football with more fans all around the world.”
FIFA has staged temporary exhibitions overseas since 2018.
Located in Puerta del Sol in the heart of Madrid, the seven-storey Legends museum has one of the largest football collections in the world. The collaborative exhibition with the FIFA Museum covers the third floor with items from each edition of the men’s tournament since its inception in 1930 and of the women’s tournament since the first edition in 1991.
Legends President Marcelo Ordás said: “To be able to tell the story of the FIFA World Cup together with the FIFA Museum is an immense dream come true. We’re particularly pleased with the museum expertise that the FIFA Museum has provided as a partner in the creation of this wonderful exhibition.”
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