SOCCER: FIFA World Cup trophy is unveiled at the American Museum of Natural History in New York

The FIFA World Cup trophy was unveiled in New York on Tuesday (June 2) as part of the Coca-Cola FIFA World Cup 2026 Trophy Tour, with Germany's 2014 winner Bastian Schweinsteiger joining New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at the American Museum of Natural History.

Fans, media and schoolchildren gathered to see the trophy up close, while Schweinsteiger, one of the few people allowed to lift it, kissed and held the prize he won with Germany in Brazil. He said seeing the trophy again gave him "goosebumps" and reminded him how rare it is for players to win football's biggest honor.

Schweinsteiger, who retired in 2019 after finishing his career with Chicago Fire, remains one of Germany's most decorated footballers. He spent more than a decade at Bayern Munich, winning multiple Bundesliga titles, German Cups and the 2013 Champions League, before later playing for Manchester United and in Major League Soccer. He earned 121 caps for Germany and helped the national team defeat Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final.

He said the trophy tour could inspire young players by letting them see the prize in person. Mamdani said New York was ready to welcome the tournament, with the New York/New Jersey area set to host eight matches, including the final, from June 13 to July 19.

-Hussein Al Waaile, Roselle Chen/Reuters