New York City has temporarily renamed two streets to honor football legends Thierry Henry and Pele ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which began on June 11, 2026. [1, 2, 3, 4] The tournament is co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, with the final match set for July 2026 at the MetLife Stadium, rebranded for the event as the New York New Jersey Stadium. [1, 2, 4]
The street called "Thierry Henry Way" is located at West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in downtown Manhattan. Thierry Henry, 48, who played five seasons with the New York Red Bulls until 2014, appeared via video call at the unveiling ceremony. [1, 2, 3, 4] Henry won the 1998 FIFA World Cup with France. On Instagram, he said, "As a Frenchman based in London, New York remains my favorite city in the world. Having a street named after me is an honor I could only dream of. This city holds such a special place in my heart — my son Tristan was born here, so New York will always be a part of our family story... I'll be back soon with a selfie." [3]
In Queens, the intersection of Shea Road and Meridian Road was renamed after Brazilian legend Pele. Pele is the only player to have ever won three FIFA World Cup titles. [1, 2, 3, 4]
The temporary street names will remain in place until November 1, 2026, before reverting to their original names. [1, 2, 3, 4]
