Local residents invited to submit ideas for Toronto’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Host City poster – Beach Metro Community News

By AMARACHI AMADIKE

It’s a rare occasion that a local resident can have an opportunity to associate themselves with the most viewed sporting event in the world – the FIFA World Cup.

But that’s exactly the opportunity the City of Toronto is offering local artists and designers as it is giving them a chance to design the official FIFA World Cup 26 Host City poster.

“This is an opportunity for artists and designers to showcase their talents and help the world see what makes Toronto truly special,” stated an Oct. 16 city news release.

Along with the bragging rights associated with showcasing their art in the lead up and during the World Cup, the selected artist will receive $8,000.

To be eligible for this opportunity, an artist must be 18 years of age or older as of Tuesday, Tuesday, Oct. 15. They are also required to live in the City of Toronto.

The process gives applicants the option of representing themselves as a non-business professional artist or to further showcase what Toronto has to offer by applying as a professional artist representing a business.

With Toronto’s World Cup theme being The World in a City, artists are encouraged to create a piece that represents Toronto’s culture as well as making sure to “encapsulate the spirit” and identity of the city in order to maximize their chances of winning.

“This is a unique opportunity for local talent to be showcased on a global stage – and we can’t wait to see how our artists bring Toronto’s spirit to life,” said Sharon Bollenbach, Executive Director of the FWC26 Toronto Secretariat.

Artists must express their interest in submitting by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The submission must include a 250-word biography and up to 10 examples of their previous work.

For more information on eligibility, details and dates on the call for expression of interest, please visit the FIFA World Cup 26™ Toronto website.

According to the City of Toronto, design proposals are not required at this stage.

“Designing a FIFA World Cup poster is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one that links the emotion and passion that both sports and the arts embody,” said Bollenbach.

In the last week of November, a selection panel will invite up to five semifinalists to develop a poster design proposal based on specifics outlined in an artwork brief that will be provided to just the selected few.

These individuals will each receive $2,000 that is supposed to go towards their World Cup poster design.

Upon completion of the five designs, the semifinalists’ poster proposals will be forwarded to FIFA who is responsible for making the final decision.

“We’re excited to invite Toronto’s artists and designers to help us capture the vibrancy of our city and know that they will rise to this occasion with a level of creativity equal to the magnitude of this global event,” said Bollenbach.

Toronto secured a spot as one of 16 host cities for the 2026 World Cup which will be played in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

As a host nation, Canada automatically qualified for the competition and will play their first game at Toronto’s BMO Field on June 12.