Football
New York City Honors Thierry Henry with Dedicated Street During FIFA World Cup 2026
Officials have also renamed a street intersection in Queens as "Pelé Way" in honor of the late Brazilian football legend Pelé, further highlighting the city's embrace of football culture during the World Cup.
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 takes center stage across North America, New York City has paid tribute to one of football's greatest icons by temporarily renaming a major Manhattan intersection "Thierry Henry Way."
To celebrate the arrival of the world's biggest sporting event, city officials unveiled the new street sign on June 10 at the intersection of West 50th Street and Sixth Avenue, adjacent to the famous Rockefeller Center and Radio City Music Hall. The location has become a focal point for World Cup festivities and fan gatherings throughout the tournament.
The honorary designation will remain in place until November 1, 2026, recognizing Thierry Henry's enormous contribution to soccer in the United States and around the world.
The French legend enjoyed a successful five-year spell with the New York Red Bulls between 2010 and 2014, helping elevate the profile of Major League Soccer while inspiring a new generation of fans. Henry's international legacy is equally impressive, having played a key role in France's triumph at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Joining the unveiling ceremony via video conference, Henry expressed his gratitude and emotion, describing the recognition as "an incredible honour I could only have dreamed of."
New York City's tribute extends beyond Henry. Officials have also renamed a street intersection in Queens as "Pelé Way" in honor of the late Brazilian football legend Pelé, further highlighting the city's embrace of football culture during the World Cup.
With matches already underway at MetLife Stadium — operating as the New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament — the city has transformed into one of the major hubs of World Cup celebration, welcoming supporters from every corner of the globe.
The temporary renaming of "Thierry Henry Way" serves as a lasting reminder of the French icon's influence on American soccer and the growing legacy of the beautiful game in New York City.