How NASA Science and Artemis are shaping the 2026 FIFA World Cup

NASA will bring space science and engineering to soccer fans at the FIFA Fan Festival™ Houston, running June 11–July 19, 2026, in East Downtown. The free exhibit lets visitors explore how research aboard the International Space Station benefits life on Earth and experience missions in low Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond through the Artemis program.

The exhibit opens June 11, and on June 20 Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche will introduce select Artemis II crew members following their historic mission around the Moon; the crew will take part in World Cup activities ahead of the Netherlands-Sweden match and appear on the Fan Festival main stage.

For more than 25 years, research aboard the International Space Station has enabled breakthroughs in science, technology, and human health while advancing innovations that benefit people on Earth — including studies of soccer ball aerodynamics.

United States, Houston

nasa, artemis, artemis ii, world cup, fan festival, houston, iss, vanessa wyche, soccer ball, aerodynamics