World Cup Art Blitz Hits Houston and North Texas
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, both Houston and Dallas are highlighting public artworks in connection with the event. In Dallas, a FIFA-themed mural by Rosalie de Graaf has taken the place of Robert Wyland's Whaling Wall. During the Dallas Arts District Fest from June 19 to July 9, Kurt Perschke's RedBall project will be featured. The Deep Ellum Foundation has collaborated with six artists to produce 180 banners. Meanwhile, Arlington unveiled an 18-foot bronze Texan Golden Boot by Steve Ekpenisi at AT&T Stadium. The Arlington Museum's More Than a Match series showcases Art of the Game, and the African American Museum will launch Mandela: The Official Exhibition on June 13. On May 23, Fort Worth introduced 30 soccer ball sculptures, while Houston's Betirri created a 200-foot mural for the FIFA Fan Festival.
Key facts
- 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities Houston and Dallas are staging art events and installations from June 14 to July 14.
- Robert Wyland's Whaling Wall in Dallas was painted over in May for a FIFA mural; a new mural by Rosalie de Graaf shows kids playing soccer.
- Kurt Perschke's RedBall project will appear in Dallas from June 19 for 10 days during the Dallas Arts District Fest.
- Deep Ellum Foundation commissioned six artists for 180 banners representing 48 World Cup countries.
- Steve Ekpenisi's Texan Golden Boot, an 18-foot bronze soccer shoe, is permanently installed at AT&T Stadium (Dallas Stadium).
- Arlington Museum of Art's More Than a Match exhibitions include Art of the Game with 38 contemporary artists.
- African American Museum, Dallas opens Mandela: The Official Exhibition on June 13.
- Houston artist Betirri installed a 200-foot mural for the FIFA Fan Festival; Street Art for Mankind commissioned Dulk's Where Borders Fade mural.
- The Art of Soccer initiative places painted fiberglass soccer balls across Houston, with proceeds funding Grow the Game.
- Midtown Houston hosts a Cultural Arts Bus Tour and Super Soccer Sunday Fest on June 14.
Entities
Artists
- Robert Wyland
- Rosalie de Graaf
- Kurt Perschke
- Dan Colcer
- Hatziel Flores
- Adriane McMillon
- Selena Mize
- Jessica Molina
- Daisuke Okamoto
- Steve Ekpenisi
- Kehinde Wiley
- Hank Willis Thomas
- Juno Calypso
- Darío Escobar
- Letitia Huckaby
- Brenda Melgoza Ciardiello
- Patrick Flynn
- Sari Shryack
- Betirri
- Jose "Meenr" Arredondo
- Dulk
- Nelson Mandela
Institutions
- North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee
- Downtown Dallas, Inc. (DDI)
- Deep Ellum Foundation
- Arlington Museum of Art (AMA)
- African American Museum, Dallas (AAMD)
- Sundance Square
- Street Art for Mankind
- FIFA World Cup 2026 Houston Host Committee
- Grow the Game
- POST Houston
- Helix Park
- Houston Public Library
- Texas Commission on the Arts
- Midtown Houston
- Glasstire
Locations
- Houston
- Dallas
- Arlington
- Fort Worth
- San Antonio
- North Texas
- Texas
- Commerce Street
- Trinity River
- Sundance Square
- Deep Ellum
- AT&T Stadium
- Dallas Stadium
- NRG Stadium
- Houston Stadium
- East End
- Harrisburg Boulevard
- Green Line
- Second Ward
- Leeland Street
- La Branch Street
- Toyota Stadium
- Buffalo Bayou
- Franklin Street
- Texas Medical Center
- Helix Park
- Midtown Park
- North Star Mall
- Asheville
- North Carolina
- Florida
- Netherlands
- Lagos
- Nigeria
- Brazil
- Russia
- Qatar
- Canada
- United States
- Mexico