After raking in a cool $105 million from an auction of Jim Irsay's memorabilia, Christie's — the auction house synonymous with priceless art and, apparently, very expensive guitars — is pivoting to the beautiful game. They're now hosting an online charity auction focused on the World Cup, because nothing says 'high culture' quite like a game-used soccer ball.
This isn't just any old sports sale. Dubbed "One Goal: An Auction to Benefit the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund," it runs from July 22 to July 29. The goal (pun absolutely intended) is to net $100 million for education and sports programs benefiting kids in communities that need them most. Which, if you think about it, is both impressive and slightly terrifying that a soccer ball could help fund a school.
Christie's is riding high on the Irsay series, which became the biggest memorabilia auction ever. The final installment alone pulled in $10.9 million, with more than half the bidders being fresh faces to the venerable auction house. Turns out, a signed jersey can be just as enticing as a Monet, especially if it belonged to someone famous. It's a clever way to expand the clientele, really.
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So, what's on the block? We're talking the actual ball from the World Cup opening match in Mexico City, and yes, the ball from the final game itself. Because who doesn't need a piece of history that's been kicked around a stadium?
Also up for grabs are signed jerseys from legends like Lionel Messi and Santiago Giménez, plus the US men's national team. And for a dash of pop culture, Shakira's costume from the "Dai Dai" music video — the official song for the upcoming 2026 World Cup — is also part of the collection. Because apparently that's where we are now: bidding on celebrity outfits alongside historic sports equipment.
Every single item kicks off at a very democratic $100, with no minimum price. Which means, theoretically, you could snag a piece of World Cup history for the price of a fancy dinner. Or, more likely, you'll be outbid by someone who really wants that ball.
The timing is impeccable, with the 2026 World Cup shaping up to be the biggest ever: 48 teams, 104 matches, and three host countries. As the semi-finals heat up this week (Spain vs. France, England vs. Argentina), Christie's clearly sees a chance to capture some of that global fervor. It's almost as if they understand that memorabilia, much like art, is all about the story.
