Philadelphia's excitement for soccer reached new heights on Wednesday with the unveiling of the official FIFA World Cup 2026 host city poster at the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society's Philadelphia Flower Show. The poster, designed by Pittsburgh artist Nicholas McClintock, represents the city's soccer enthusiasm and blends art with the athleticism of the game.
In a statement to NBC Philadelphia, Meg Kane, CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, said, "His design really captures everything we hoped for FIFA World Cup 2026. And his work tells the story of Pennsylvania values, of tolerance, freedom and progress and we are so proud to showcase that to the world." The city will host several matches, including a Round of 16 game on July Fourth at Lincoln Financial Field, making the design important to capture the spirit of Philadelphia and the global World Cup stage.
McClintock’s design won over 400 submissions in a statewide contest. It features three soccer balls against a backdrop of iconic Philadelphia landmarks like the Art Museum and City Hall. This design is now part of a unique set of posters for the 16 host cities, marking a departure from traditional World Cup posters.
Finalists for the contest came from across Pennsylvania, with a panel of judges including Lori Shapiro, the First Lady of Pennsylvania, Val Gay, Chief Cultural Officer of Philadelphia, and other local cultural leaders making the final decision. McClintock shared his excitement with Metro Philadelphia, saying, "I’m truly honored that my design was chosen to represent Philadelphia for the FIFA World Cup. It’s incredible to see it come to life, especially in florals at the Philadelphia Flower Show."
Valley Forge Flowers, a family-owned business with decades of experience decorating Philly events, created the floral display of the poster at the Flower Show. The display will be available to view until Sunday. Posters for each host city will go on sale later this year, offering fans a piece of this historic event. As the city prepares for the FIFA World Cup and Major League Baseball All-Star game, both events will coincide with America's 250th birthday celebrations next year, 6abc reports.
