Press Preview of the World’s Oldest Football

A rare sports artifact dating to the 16th century will be shown during a press preview at the Coral Gables Museum. The morning gathering takes place Sunday, June 21, ahead of the football’s first public presentation in the United States. Guests will have an opportunity to view the object up close while meeting exhibition organizers, international partners, diplomatic representatives and other invited participants.

Dating from 1540 to 1570, the football was discovered behind wooden paneling in the Queen’s Chamber at Stirling Castle in Scotland, where it had remained hidden for more than four centuries. Now preserved by the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum, the stitched leather ball, originally inflated with a pig’s bladder, offers a tangible connection to the early history of the game.

The artifact will be featured in Diplomacy and the Beautiful Game: From Scotland to Brazil to Haiti, an exhibition presented during FIFA World Cup 2026. Through artifacts, archival photographs and international stories, the exhibition explores soccer’s role in cultural exchange, diplomacy and global connection, including the Scottish roots of Brazilian football and the legacy of Pelé. Cuban coffee and curated bites will be served during the preview.