Giant, beautiful soccer balls are popping up around New York City

The Art of The Game, a public sculpture installation, launched across New York City and New Jersey this week, coinciding with the start of the World Cup. The exhibition features works by 23 international artists, including Futura 2000, Hank Willis Thomas, and Taína H. Cruz, each incorporating a six-foot diameter steel soccer ball sculpture rendered in their distinct style. This collaborative project is a joint effort between ARTS 14C, a non-profit organization focused on increasing accessibility in the arts, and the New York New Jersey Host Committee for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The sculptures are strategically placed throughout New York's five boroughs and northern New Jersey, and will remain on display until Labor Day. New York and New Jersey are among the 16 host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which spans locations across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The host cities are engaging in a friendly competition to demonstrate their hospitality to the influx of international visitors attending the matches, with public art installations serving as a key element of their strategy. Robinson Holloway, CEO and Founder of ARTS 14C, emphasized that the joy derived from both art and sports is immeasurable and contributes significantly to the quality of life, likening the World Cup and public art to celebrations of human spirit and community.