THE OFFICIAL HOME OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP 26 HOUSTON™
Official FIFA World Cup 26™
Houston Host City Poster
ABOUT THE
HOUSTON POSTER
Houston’s poster features everything that has defined the city over the years, including nods to our history in space exploration, cultural diversity, rodeo spirit, and Texas-sized appreciation for the world’s beautiful game.
Prominently featured is the astronaut ‘Orion’ who is seen controlling a soccer ball in front of the Houston skyline while wearing the ‘Captain’s Armband”, which is meant to celebrate the city’s flag and growth.
POSTER BREAKDOWN
ABOUT THE ARTIST
STEPHANIE LEAL
Stephanie is currently the Digital Marketing and Design Specialist for a Houston-area agriculture company. Previously, she served as lead designer for the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash, bringing ideas to life through motion graphics, illustrations, and photography. A graduate of the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts and a minor in Art History, Leal uses her talents to tell the stories of her hometown.
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She was chosen as Houston’s host city poster designer from a talent pool of Houston-area artists who participated in a poster contest in late 2024.
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“To me, Houston is a place of resilience, hustle, and creativity. Diversity isn’t just accepted here—it’s celebrated,” said Stephanie. “My father chose this city to give our family a better life, and it’s here that my love for fútbol grew even stronger. I’m proud to be a Houstonian, as this city reflects my journey, my growth, and the limitless potential I see in both me and this remarkable city.”
POSTER CONTEST FINALISTS
A huge congratulations to all the local artists who participated in the Houston World Cup Poster Design Contest!
Betirri
Betirri's creative journey began with his passion for sports and a personal challenge—his struggle with asthma, which kept him from becoming a professional soccer player. After moving to Houston and studying architecture and painting at the University of Houston, he found a way to merge his love for athletics and art.
His celebrated paintings of bodiless athletes in motion capture the universal essence of sports and reflect his view of art as a medium for social commentary.
James E! Walker
James E. Walker is a multi-disciplinary artist from Houston, Texas, known for his "renaissential" contributions across various fields. Based in EaDo, he's a hip-hop and graphic artist, designer, illustrator, photographer, musician, producer, and proud father.
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Since 2010, James has worked as a freelance artist, contributing to institutions like The Museum of Fine Arts Houston and The Printing Museum, and collaborating with brands such as Disney, Netflix, and local favorites like The Breakfast Klub.