World Cup 2026: Henry, Pelé Honoured With New York Street Names

New York City has paid tribute to football legends Thierry Henry and Pelé by temporarily renaming selected streets in their honour as part of celebrations leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is set to kick off on Thursday, with the final scheduled to take place next month at MetLife Stadium, which has been renamed the New York New Jersey Stadium for the competition.

In downtown Manhattan, officials unveiled “Thierry Henry Way” at the intersection of West 50th Street and 6th Avenue.

The event attracted attention from residents and football fans, marking a symbolic moment for the French icon, who enjoyed a memorable spell in Major League Soccer with New York Red Bulls.

Henry, a former Arsenal and Barcelona forward and 1998 World Cup winner with France, expressed excitement about the honour, saying he looks forward to visiting the location during future trips to New York’s iconic landmarks.

City officials noted that the gesture was aimed at recognising Henry’s contribution to football both in Europe and the United States, where he spent several seasons in MLS before retiring.

In a separate tribute, the city also renamed an intersection in Queens after Brazilian legend Pelé, further celebrating his global impact on the sport.

According to the city council, both honorary street names will remain in place until November 1, allowing fans and visitors to experience the tributes throughout the World Cup period.