Boston is the only Host City to Collaborate with Educational Institutions to Create Signature Sound and Custom Poster Design for 2026 Matches

Boston, MA – April 1, 2025 – FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston Host City is proud to unveil the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston Host City Poster, created in collaboration with the Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt). Boston is the only city among the 11 North American FIFA World Cup Host Cities that collaborated with local colleges to create its signature Sonic ID (Berklee College of Music) and official Host City Poster.

Designed by John Rego, a 2018 MassArt graduate and current faculty member in Illustration, the poster weaves together notable Boston landmarks, traditional New England elements, and several “Easter Eggs” – objects with special meaning that are not immediately apparent for viewers to seek and discover – in a style inspired by children’s book illustrations, comics, and cartoons.

“John Rego and the students at MassArt were able to bring the essence of Boston to life in a fun, creative and unique way,” said Julie Duffy, chief marketing and communications officer for FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston. “We hope that Bostonians and New Englanders alike will enjoy and appreciate the official Boston host city poster and will enjoy the hidden surprises that lie beneath its surface.”

The Boston poster depicts an underwater soccer match between denizens of Boston Harbor, including a larger-than-life lobster goaltender and an octopus – wearing cleats on all eight arms – kicking a soccer ball out of the water and into the sky. Other marine life swims around the underwater pitch while, above water, a vibrant waterfront bustles with activity against the backdrop of Boston’s skyline.

“In the lectures I had with my students about the poster they felt that Boston’s waterfront and its cityscape needed to be prominently featured in the poster,” Rego said. “I took inspiration from a whale watching trip I went on and photos of the harbor to create an underwater scene that thematically represents Boston. There is also a lot of the city’s history represented with the Boston Tea Party, landmarks and attractions, and its industrial roots mixed in throughout.”

“MassArt is honored to be part of Boston’s FIFA World Cup 26™ journey, celebrating creativity and collaboration at the highest level. Seeing John work, alongside our students, to bring this poster to life has been truly inspiring, it is exciting to showcase the talent and vision that thrive here in Boston and across New England,” said Dr. Mary K. Grant, President of MassArt. “Thanks to this wonderful partnership, we’ve had a unique opportunity to highlight the impact of art, design, and education not just locally, but around the world.”

Sharp-eyed viewers will note the poster’s intricate border, drawn in the New England folk art style and celebrating the region’s four seasons, incorporating mountains, Canada geese, and sea life from local waters.

Rego hopes that several “Easter Egg” hidden surprises will bring delight to viewers.

“If you look closely, there are so many tiny details that might be easily missed the first time, as well as references to upcoming events, neighborhoods and historic happenings,” he said.

Some of the hidden surprises waiting to be discovered include:

A Head of the Charles reference;

• A nod to Boston’s Public Garden;
• Artistically incorporated soccer balls;
• The Boston Tea Party;
• The North End;
• The Tall Ships;
• A nod to Cape Cod; and
• Iconic locations including the North End, the State Street building, and the Bunker Hill Monument.

The FIFA World Cup 26™ will feature a set of 16 Official Host City Posters available for purchase soon, serving as a visual representation of the shared love for the beautiful game within each Host City. Following the rollout of the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Sonic IDs, this exciting milestone continues to build momentum among local citizens and global football fans alike, as the spirit of each Host City is once again shared with the world in anticipation of the game-changing tournament that will take place between Thursday, June 11, and Sunday,  July 19, 2026.

More information about the campaign is available at FIFAWorldCup.com, where fans will be able to see each poster, learn more about the artists and sign up to be notified as posters go on sale. The Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Tournament Poster, celebrating the event across all Host Cities, will be revealed prior to the Final Draw, which is scheduled to take place later this year.