World's oldest football, 500 years old, goes on display in US for first time ahead of World Cup

The world's oldest football — estimated to be about 500 years old — is on display in the United States for the first time, timed to coincide with the 2026 North America World Cup.

According to NBC and other US media, the ball, discovered in the bedchamber of Mary Queen of Scots at Stirling Castle in Scotland, is now on exhibition at the Coral Gables Museum in Miami, Florida. The display opened Wednesday.

The exhibition is running alongside the 2026 World Cup Group C third-round match between Brazil and Scotland, held at Miami Stadium.

The ball was crafted from thick stitched leather panels with a pig's bladder inside serving as the core. It is on loan from the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Scotland.

Considered one of the rarest artifacts in Scottish history and estimated to be around 500 years old, the ball has been described as "a true piece of football history" — with a history more than five times longer than that of the World Cup itself.

The ball was found during renovation work at Stirling Castle in the 1970s, tucked behind an oak panel in the queen's chamber among the rafters. Experts believe it dates to between 1540 and 1570, during the reigns of James V and the young Mary Queen of Scots.

It has since been certified by Guinness World Records as the oldest football in the world.

According to the museum, football has been popular in Scotland since around the 15th century, and Mary Queen of Scots is believed to have had a keen interest in the sport.

Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums and Galleries Scotland, said in a statement: "This oldest football in the world is a remarkable artifact that connects Scotland's rich sporting heritage with the world's most beloved sport. It has now found its place in the United States alongside the world's greatest players and most passionate fans."