"My idea was that there would be three elements in every poster: the man, the ball, and the earth," Annie Leibovitz said of the campaign she shot for Mexico's 1986 World Cup. México 86. El mundo unido por un balón brings those thirteen iconic images to the Fundación Casa de México en España from 18 June to 20 September 2026, free of charge, as part of PHotoESPAñA.
What it is
Curated by Héctor Orozco, the exhibition presents the complete series Leibovitz produced over roughly a year travelling across Mexico for the 1986 tournament — the first time a World Cup's visual identity was built entirely around photography rather than illustration or graphic design. She shot footballers against the country's archaeological and natural landmarks: Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Teotihuacán, Tulum, the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro, Lake Chápala and more, letting the sport sit alongside Mexico's deeper history and landscape rather than treating the country as a backdrop.
Leibovitz had begun her professional career the same year as Mexico's first World Cup in 1970, and by 1986 was already establishing herself as one of the defining photographers of her generation. The campaign helped cement that reputation internationally. In 2026, with Mexico becoming the first country to host World Cup matches across three different tournaments, these images carry renewed relevance.
Why it's worth attending
Thirteen photographs is a tight, focused show rather than a sprawling retrospective, which makes for a quick but memorable visit — you can see the whole thing properly in twenty or thirty minutes. The pairing of football with Mexico's archaeological sites gives the images a scale and gravity unusual for sports photography of any era. It's a narrow, single-theme exhibition rather than a broad survey of Leibovitz's career, so anyone expecting her celebrity portraiture from Vanity Fair or Rolling Stone will find a much more specific slice of her work here.
Practical info
Dates: 18 June – 20 September 2026. Free admission. Opening hours: Monday 10:00–19:00; Tuesday to Saturday 10:00–21:00; Sunday 10:00–14:00. Nearest metro: San Bernardo (lines 2 and 4) or Argüelles (lines 3, 4 and 6).
FAQ
How many photographs are in the exhibition?
Thirteen photographs from Leibovitz's original 1986 World Cup campaign.
Do I need to book a ticket?
No, admission is free and open to the public without a reservation.
Where were the photographs taken?
Across Mexico, including Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Teotihuacán, Tulum, Tula, Cóba, Pátzcuaro, Cancún, Los Cabos, Manzanillo, Lake Chápala and the Sierra Gorda in Querétaro.
Why was this campaign significant?
It was the first time a FIFA World Cup's visual identity was built around a photographic campaign rather than illustrated or graphic design imagery.
Who curated the exhibition?
Héctor Orozco curated the show for the Fundación Casa de México en España.
