On July 16, 2026, FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended an exclusive black-tie gala dinner organized by the Big Art Festival at the Capitale catering hall in Manhattan (130 Bowery, New York, NY 10013). This high-profile event brought together FIFA leadership and influential figures from the worlds of business, sports, and culture just days before the FIFA World Cup final.
Designed for 350 VIP guests, the event blended star power—football legends, FIFA representatives, business leaders, investors, luxury brand executives, media figures, and world-renowned personalities.
I arrived among the first and saw crowds gathered outside the entrance of Capitale, hoping to catch a glimpse of FIFA representatives and the A-list stars invited to the charity dinner.
Ilya and Michael Zavulunov warmly welcomed the guests and were gracious to everyone, which has become a signature style defining the spirit of hospitality at Capitale.
Guests enjoyed an exquisite gala dinner prepared by a two-Michelin-starred chef, premium beverages, and an entertainment program custom-designed to deliver an unforgettable, world-class experience.
The event was supported by prestigious international partners, including DAZN and Chopard, further solidifying its position as one of the most prominent luxury events celebrating the FIFA World Cup.
Ahead of the most important football weekend, the FIFA x Big Art Festival gala became one of New York’s most discussed private events, bringing together influential figures from sports, entertainment, business, and culture for an unforgettable evening. It was no surprise that numerous football fans gathered outside Capitale to watch their idols walk the rising red carpet.
Speaking at the beginning of the festival, FIFA President Gianni noted that the concluding 2026 World Cup had exceeded all expectations, becoming the «greatest human, social, and cultural event» in human history. He highlighted outstanding viewership and attendance figures, emphasizing that the atmosphere of the tournament united people from all over the world.
Infantino specifically noted the key role of the American administration and President Trump in ensuring security and creating comfortable conditions for hosting a tournament that has already gone down in the history of world football.
WHO WAS IN THE ROOM?
I am delighted to list all the stars who were present at this evening, as I could hardly believe my own eyes that I could see them, shake their hands, take memorable photos, and simply share the same room with the 300 official guests of this festival.
So, holding my breath, I list them:
• Roberto Baggio — World and European Player of the Year in 1993, winner of the 1992/93 UEFA Cup, runner-up at the 1994 World Cup, bronze medalist at the 1990 World Cup, Italian champion in the 1994/95 and 1995/96 seasons, and winner of the 1994/95 Coppa Italia. He is the only Italian footballer to score goals in three World Cups.
• Cafu — Legendary Brazilian footballer who played as a right-back. He is a two-time World Cup champion (1994, 2002) and holds the record for the most appearances for the Brazil national team. At the club level, he is known for his successful stints with Roma and AC Milan.
• Fernando Llorente Torres, known by the nickname «El Rey León» (The Lion King), is a former Spanish professional footballer who played as a striker.
• Mario Kempes — Former Argentina national team player Mario Kempes, who on July 28, along with former Spain international Andrés Iniesta, carried out the World Cup trophy before the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
• René Higuita — Colombian football goalkeeper who played for the national team from 1987 to 1999. He participated in the 1990 FIFA World Cup, took free kicks and penalties for clubs and country, invented the «scorpion kick,» and scored over forty goals in his career.
• Hristo Stoichkov — International-class Bulgarian footballer. With Barcelona, he won the European Cup and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, is a two-time UEFA Super Cup winner, and a four-time Spanish champion. In 1994, he received the Ballon d’Or as Europe’s best footballer. At the 1994 World Cup, alongside Oleg Salenko, he was the tournament’s top scorer.
• Roberto Carlos — Brazilian athlete and coach. 2002 World Cup champion and 1998 World Cup runner-up. Included in the FIFA 100 list and is one of 19 players with over 100 appearances in the UEFA Champions League.
• Maxi Rodríguez — Footballer who played for the Argentina national team from 2003 to 2015, making 57 appearances and scoring 16 goals. He participated in three World Cups (2006, 2010, and 2014) and reached the World Cup final with the Albiceleste in 2014.
• Oscar Ustari — Argentine football goalkeeper. Olympic champion in 2008 with the Argentina Olympic team and a participant in the 2006 World Cup with the senior Argentina squad.
• Fernando Hierro — Spanish footballer, former captain of the Spain national team and Real Madrid, defender, and coach. A five-time Spanish champion and three-time UEFA Champions League winner with Real Madrid.
• Marcel Desailly — French footballer who played for Olympique de Marseille, AC Milan, and Chelsea, representing the France national team for over 10 years. With the national team, he won the 1998 World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000.
• Lukas Podolski — German professional football forward. 2014 World Cup champion with the Germany national team and the third-highest goalscorer in the history of the German national team.
• Michel Salgado — Former Spanish professional football right-back. As a regular starter for Real Madrid, he won the UEFA Champions League twice (2000, 2002), La Liga twice (2001, 2003), and the Intercontinental Cup in 2002.
• Esteban Cambiasso — Argentine midfielder who previously played for Argentinos Juniors, Real Madrid, Independiente, River Plate, Inter Milan, and Leicester City.
• Avram Grant — Israeli football manager. He won the Israeli championship in 1994/95 with Maccabi Tel Aviv, and in 2000/01 and 2001/02 with Maccabi Haifa. He managed the Israel national team and coached Chelsea in the 2007/2008 season, leading the team to the UEFA Champions League final, a second-place finish in the English Premier League, and the League Cup final.
WHO WAS ON STAGE?
The gala dinner, held in the historic Capitale building—a landmark Beaux-Arts architectural masterpiece in Lower Manhattan converted into a catering hall by Ilya Zavulunov—was designed to celebrate the unique intersection of football, culture, business, and international networking in an atmosphere of elegance and exclusivity.
Matching this luxurious event was a brilliant lineup of world-class performances: headliner 50 Cent, saxophonist Max Merseny, and Carolina Rial alongside her stunning band. The host of the festival was the charming American television presenter Emily Austin.
I must admit, 50 Cent—the stage name of the world-renowned rapper and actor Curtis James Jackson III, who happens to be a Queens native—made a powerful impression on me. He was at the peak of his talent. Though not typically a fan of this musical genre, I discovered him in a completely new light. Rap is not only meant to be listened to, but actively experienced live through interaction, audience participation, and close contact with the crowd.
The artistry of German saxophonist Max Merseny can be described as a one-man saxophone theater, expanding the boundaries of a standard jazz performance and infusing it with special sensuality and eroticism.
Carolina Rial was a true star of the evening—a singer of high performance culture, charm, and charisma inherent to true stars of the American stage.
EXCLUSIVE GIFTS
In the second half of the evening, the host announced that from July 22 to 29, the match balls used in the first three opening games of the tournament, as well as stage props from the Global Citizen Halftime show featuring Shakira, BTS, and Madonna, would be exhibited.
All proceeds will go to the FIFA Global Education Fund and the anti-poverty NGO Global Citizen. The funds will be used to provide access to education and football for children in 200 countries.
One of the most touching moments of the evening featured three exclusive raffle prizes provided by the renowned luxury house Stefano Ricci. The crown jewel among them was the official FIFA Bowl—a masterpiece of exceptional craftsmanship, designed and handcrafted from natural alligator leather. Its rich texture and flawless artistry make it a true object of art and collection. I was deeply moved when the host invited Ilya and his young son, Levi Zavulunov, to receive the official FIFA Bowl, a moment that brought the entire room to its feet.
Created specifically for the 2026 World Cup and adorned with the official FIFA emblem, the bowl became a true embodiment of sporting greatness and centuries-old handcrafted mastery. Its value increased even further when FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the legendary football figures of the evening kindly left their autographs on it.
According to American commentators, the gala was the event of the quadrennium—an evening of immense pride and even greater recognition of dedication.
DIAMONDS IN THE ROOM
Chopard and Zada also honored the evening, each presenting a special gift to the guests. However, the true ornaments of the night were the top models from Chopard, who showcased luxurious jewelry. Their signature style often features «dancing» diamonds, unique gemstones, lace motifs, and ethical gold. They greeted us right in the foyer, dazzling with the splendor of their attire and jewelry. Their appearance inside the hall came as a joyful surprise, and their very presence brought a subtle touch of ease, fun, romance, and nonchalance.
THE CAPITALE
I was pleased that an event of this caliber took place in a venue recently opened by the well-known restorer, Michael’s son, Ilya Zavulunov, which in a short time has gained such high popularity and trust in the highest circles of the New York establishment.
It has been thirty years since the Zavulunov family relocated from Vienna to the United States. This was their second emigration; they first left their native Dushanbe, which was engulfed by civil war, and emigrated to Austria.
There, they opened the wonderful restaurant «Sapida.» Then came New York, where Michael Zavulunov fulfilled his professional calling, becoming a role model for other restaurateurs. Da Mikelle grew into a true brand business, encompassing a dozen restaurants in Queens and Manhattan.
I must note the exceptional cuisine, which matched the refined taste of the Da Mikelle restaurant group in Queens and Manhattan. Each dish was served individually—salads, a variety of fish delicacies, wines, and the table setting itself all befitted the class of this dinner, turning it into a gathering of gourmets.
And as Alexander Pushkin wrote, «I was there, drinking honey and beer,» though unlike the classic writer, I will add: «It flowed down my mustache, and… actually reached my mouth!»
This was translated
from Russian to English.
By Rafael Nektalov
Editor-in-Chief of The Bukharian Times
