The FIFA World Cup has given us some of the most unforgettable images in sporting history. From the first tournament held in Uruguay in 1930 to Lionel Messi's crowning moment in Qatar 2022, every generation has its own cherished memories.
To pay tribute to the moments that changed football forever, artist Camil Escruela has created a large-scale artwork bringing together 16 of the most iconic moments in World Cup history.
The piece will be on free public display throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup outside Barcelona Art Street Museum (BAS), in an open-access area directly in front of the museum. Football fans, tourists and art lovers are invited to visit, discover each scene, take photos alongside the artwork and test their knowledge of football history by identifying the moments depicted.
From Maradona's Hand of God to Iniesta's winning goal and Messi lifting the World Cup trophy, this mural is a visual journey through nearly a century of football history.
Can you recognize all 16 moments?
1930: Uruguay wins the first World Cup in history
The story began in Montevideo. Uruguay hosted and won the very first FIFA World Cup by defeating Argentina in the final.
That tournament laid the foundation for what would become the most-watched sporting event on the planet and marked the beginning of some of the greatest moments in World Cup history.
1950: The Maracanazo that silenced Brazil
Few World Cup stories are as legendary as the famous Maracanazo.
More than 170,000 spectators packed the Maracanã Stadium expecting Brazil to be crowned world champions against Uruguay. Instead, the Uruguayans pulled off one of the biggest upsets in football history, winning 2-1.
To this day, it remains one of the most shocking moments ever witnessed at a World Cup.
1958: The birth of Pelé
Sweden witnessed the arrival of a football legend.
At just 17 years old, Pelé amazed the world with his extraordinary talent and helped Brazil win its first World Cup.
His performance is widely regarded as one of the greatest World Cup moments and marked the beginning of one of the most remarkable careers in sports history.
1966: Bobby Charlton leads England to glory
The World Cup in England produced unforgettable images and established Sir Bobby Charlton as one of British football's greatest icons.
England won the only World Cup title in its history and wrote one of the most important chapters in the nation's football legacy.
1970: Pelé achieves immortality
Many football historians consider Mexico 1970 to be one of the greatest World Cups ever played.
Brazil produced breathtaking football and Pelé lifted his third World Cup trophy, a record that still stands today.
The image of the Brazilian superstar celebrating the title remains one of the most recognizable in football history.
1974: Johan Cruyff revolutionizes football
Although the Netherlands did not win the tournament, Johan Cruyff forever changed the way football was played and understood.
His famous "Total Football" philosophy inspired generations of players and coaches and turned that Dutch side into one of the most admired teams in history.
1978: Argentina wins its first World Cup
Playing on home soil, Argentina lifted the World Cup for the first time.
Their victory over the Netherlands firmly established La Albiceleste among football's elite nations.
1982: Paolo Rossi, from suspension to national hero
Paolo Rossi's story is one of the most remarkable World Cup tales ever told.
After returning from a suspension linked to the Totonero scandal, many questioned whether he could still perform at the highest level. Instead, he finished as the tournament's top scorer and led Italy to World Cup glory.
His story remains one of football's greatest redemption arcs.
1986: The Hand of God
Few football moments generate as much debate as Diego Maradona's famous Hand of God goal.
In the quarter-final against England, the Argentine scored using his hand without the referee noticing.
Decades later, it remains one of the most talked-about incidents in World Cup history.
1986: The Goal of the Century
Just minutes after the Hand of God came another unforgettable moment.
Maradona dribbled past multiple England players from inside his own half before scoring what many consider the greatest goal ever scored at a World Cup.
For countless fans and football experts, it still tops every list of the best World Cup goals of all time.
1994: The penalty that haunted Roberto Baggio
The World Cup final between Brazil and Italy was decided by penalties.
Roberto Baggio, one of the greatest players of his generation, sent the decisive spot kick over the crossbar.
The image of the Italian star standing alone with his head bowed became one of the most emotional moments in World Cup history.
1998: Zidane leads France to glory
France won its first World Cup thanks to a masterful performance by Zinedine Zidane.
His two goals in the final against Brazil turned him into a national hero and marked the beginning of a golden era for French football.
2006: The most famous headbutt in football history
Zidane's legendary career ended in dramatic fashion.
During the World Cup final between France and Italy, the French captain headbutted Marco Materazzi and was sent off.
It remains one of the most shocking and memorable incidents ever seen on football's biggest stage.
2010: Iniesta's goal that made Spain world champions
Spain reached football immortality in South Africa thanks to Andrés Iniesta's winning goal against the Netherlands.
His strike in extra time secured Spain's first World Cup title and instantly became one of the greatest moments in the nation's sporting history.
2014: Götze's goal that decided a final
Argentina came within minutes of taking the 2014 World Cup final to penalties.
Instead, Mario Götze emerged in extra time to score the only goal of the match and hand Germany its fourth World Cup title.
It was a moment that changed the course of football history.
2022: Messi finally lifts the World Cup
After years of near misses and heartbreak, Lionel Messi completed his football legacy in Qatar 2022.
The image of Messi lifting the World Cup trophy was shared around the globe and became one of the most iconic sports photographs ever taken.
His performances throughout the tournament cemented his place among football's all-time greats. Messi's World Cup goals have become part of football folklore, and many fans rank them among the most memorable moments in the tournament's history.
A work of art celebrating football history in Barcelona
Camil Escruela's artwork brings together nearly one hundred years of World Cup history in a single composition.
Throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it can be viewed free of charge outside Barcelona Art Street Museum (BAS) in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, where visitors and football fans can admire it up close, identify each scene and take photographs alongside the piece.
If you love football, this is a unique opportunity to relive the most iconic moments in World Cup history through art while testing your knowledge of the beautiful game.
How many of the 16 moments can you recognize?