Brooks, the exhibition’s organiser, appears to see football as more than a competition. His project explores the game’s links to migration, national allegiance and the African diaspora, including players of African heritage who represent France, Belgium and England.
He calls that theme “Hidden Africa”, a phrase that opens difficult questions about identity while reflecting football’s global reach. The collection reportedly includes tributes to figures including Pelé, Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé, alongside a replica of the World Cup trophy.
The art also looks back to football’s simplest beginnings. Brooks recalled children playing with any circular object they could find in homes, schools and streets - an experience he said required “nothing but a beautiful spirit.”
The report says organisers will hold a ceremony honouring Cape Verde before the island nation’s group match against Uruguay in Miami. That moment gives the exhibition a direct connection to the tournament, celebrating a country whose football story is reaching a global audience.
Artists including Bamazi Talle and Tasanee Durrett reportedly add different perspectives, with work examining community, Black women in football and the stories supporters carry into the stadium.
The exhibition’s next test will be its ability to turn tournament attention into lasting conversation. As Cape Verde prepares for Uruguay, Miami’s football week will offer a stage not only for competition, but also for heritage, belonging and the power of the beautiful game.