FIFA Paints Over Wyland's Iconic Dallas Whale Mural

FIFA has painted over Wyland's Whaling Wall 82, a 82-foot-tall, 164-foot-wide mural of humpback whales on a parking garage in downtown Dallas, as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup. The mural, gifted to the city in 1999, had been hidden beneath vinyl billboards for years before being uncovered in 2020. Wyland, the artist, said he was unaware of the painting until a downtown resident alerted his assistant on Wednesday. The North Texas FWC Organizing Committee stated that a portion of the mural will remain preserved, but Wyland and the Wyland Foundation's CEO Steve Creech rejected this as unacceptable. The mural was part of a series of about 100 Whaling Walls worldwide. Wyland had been considering returning to Dallas to restore and protect the mural. The city approved a wrap permit for the building owned by Slate Asset Management, but that permit applies to another side. FIFA is installing murals across downtown, including at the old Dawson State Jail. Wyland called for FIFA to stop, saying the action disrespects the city and art.