1.8-Meter Mirror-Finish Stainless Steel Soccer Ball Sculpture from Jiangxia, Wuhan, Debuts at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, officially kicked off in Mexico City in the early hours of June 12, Beijing time. Outside BC Place Vancouver in Canada, a mirror-finish stainless steel soccer ball sculpture made in Jiangxia District, Wuhan, had already been installed, becoming a standout installation at the venue.

The mirror-finish stainless steel soccer ball sculpture at the main entrance to the Vancouver venue. Photo by Tu Changqing's team

The sculpture, 1.8 meters in diameter, is made of 12 pentagonal stainless steel panels. Each panel was hand-hammered and polished tens of thousands of times to achieve a smooth, mirror-like finish. The project was undertaken by a manufacturing company based in Jiangxia District, Wuhan.
According to Tu Changqing, the sculpture's production director, the order was officially placed on May 28. It took only seven days to complete the main structure, from material processing to completion, while similar products overseas typically take more than a month to produce.
On the evening of June 4, the sculpture was loaded in Jiangxia, Wuhan, and shipped to Shanghai. After customs clearance and related formalities were completed, it departed from a cargo airport on June 7 on a direct flight to Los Angeles. After landing, the sculpture was transported overland by heavy-duty truck. Following a journey of more than 20 hours, it arrived at its destination at 6 p.m. local time on June 10 and was immediately installed at the designated site outside BC Place Vancouver.
Glistening in the sunlight, the sculpture reflects the blue sky and the outlines of nearby buildings in its mirror surface, drawing visitors to stop and take photos. Tu said the completion of the project has brought greater international attention to Chinese manufacturing and craftsmanship in global sports settings.