North Texas is bursting with excitement as Matt Cliff, an Arlington-inspired illustrator, makes waves with his official FIFA World Cup 26™ Dallas Host City Poster. In a chat with the City of Arlington, Cliff divulged how his personal Arlington escapades directly influenced his latest eye-catching creation, without getting overly sentimental about it. "I spent incredible amounts of time in Arlington. It’s a place I found a lot of happiness, and solace in," Cliff told the City of Arlington. The backdrop of Cliff's youth, from the west side of Fort Worth to the old Arlington ballpark, fed into the essence of his artwork.
His poster nods to North Texas's vibrant spirit, mingling classic with contemporary themes in one fell swoop. "My design was inspired by the juxtaposition of Old West culture meets modern design," Cliff said, expressing his minimal soccer knowledge yet finding common ground in the iconic bicycle kick, something Pele turned into an art form. The poster's brawny use of color, intricate linework, and nods to regional pride aim at encapsulating the Metroplex's diversity and enthusiasm for the beautiful game, per the City of Arlington.
Revealed to the public at Dallas's Klyde Warren Park on April 17th, the poster triumphed in a competitive selection process undertaken by the North Texas FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee. Cliff's artistic flair isn't merely for show; it carries the weight of expectation and excitement for an event that is anticipated to capture the attention of soccer fans worldwide. He hopes that onlookers will "see Texas" within the swirl of colors and cowboy boots meeting soccer cleats. As Cliff succinctly put it to the City of Arlington, "It’s the World Cup!"
