The World Cup is approaching, and Atlanta is preparing for its role. Yesterday, the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, in partnership with FIFA, unveiled the official host city poster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local artist and Atlanta United's Creative Design Manager, Jose Hadathy, who moved to Atlanta from Quito, Ecuador at the age of nine, designed the poster as part of a series highlighting the cultural identity of each host city.
Atlanta's official poster captures the city's identity through a surrealist montage of landmarks, including the Georgia Capitol and Atlanta Stadium. As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the design features a peach at the center, with the city’s skyline set against a backdrop of greens and blues, representing Georgia’s nickname as the "city in a forest." Hadathy's artwork also highlights Atlanta's focus on sustainability, with Atlanta Stadium showcasing its LEED Zero certification.
Describing his dual passions for soccer and his city, Hadathy said, "I am honored to have been chosen to create a piece that captures my two passions – soccer and the city of Atlanta." His words, captured in a press release and obtained by Rough Draft Atlanta, reflects the anticipation in Atlanta as the city prepares for its role in the world’s most-watched sporting event. The artist's initiative, Station Soccer, is also featured in the poster, highlighting MARTA stations turned into mini soccer fields.
Hadathy's custom-designed artwork is just the beginning; a collection of posters will highlight the unique character of each host city. According to a tentative schedule from FIFA, these posters will be released every two days on the official website, with sales to follow. Additionally, the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Tournament Poster is set to be released later this year, representing the unity of the host cities, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.
