Fil-AM Designer Rich Tu in the Metlife Stadium: “It is really an honor to be part of a tradition that celebrates the world that comes through sport and art.” Contributed
New York – When the world is preparing for the FIFA World Cup 2026, it becomes a historical event in many ways.
For the first time in the history of the tournament, the FIFA World Championship is organized together by three countries – Canada, Mexico and the United States. The last match is played in the New York stadium in New York/New Jersey, which is an important milestone in the inheritance of the tournament.
In the middle of this unprecedented backdrop, a striking new poster that represents the New York/New Jersey region, the attention of fans and art enthusiasts has attracted alike.
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2026 FIFA World Cup poster, which were designed by the award-winning Fil-AM artist Rich TU. Contributed
Rich Tu, a Filipino and award -winning first generation artist in Brooklyn, is the heart of this creative masterpiece.
A graduate of the illustration of SVA as visual Inquirer.net USA How he was selected for this significant project.
“The FIFA and the Nynj guest committee turned directly to the dimensions, and frankly I was pretty shocked when I received the call,” he said.
“It was one of these moments when they realize that their work has achieved a new level of recognition. I have done a culturally effective work with large brands, but that was different.”
Tu saw it as an incredible opportunity to leave the story.
“To create something that would be seen by millions around the world, I knew that I had to approach it with a lot of passion and respect for this occasion.”
The design process was deeply personal for TU. He explained: “The symbolism of the poster begins in the center with the patchwork football ball, which represents the global fandom – the worldwide unity that promotes the World Cup. This ball sits in the torch of the Statue of Liberty, a mighty symbol of freedom and greeting, positioned between the two states New York and New Jersey.”
But what did this project really make something special?
Rich tu contains Sampaguita In the FIFA World Cup 26 Poster Design
“For me it embedded my cultural roots in the design,” he said. “I added my previous pieces as a recall that celebrate the Sampaguita flower – the national flower of the Philippines. It is a delicate, fragrant blossom that has a lot of cultural importance for Filipinos, which symbolizes purity, humility and hope.”
Rich Tu, a webby award winner, is grateful that he represents both New York and New Jersey because he has the feeling of representing the whole world through his art. Contributed
“I wanted this flower to serve as a connecting element as a reminder that even with such a massive, global event there is a piece of my heritage – a layer of cultural flair and meaning adds.”
The sampaguita, which is known for their sensitive fragrance and its cultural importance in the Philippines, is integrated into the poster design as a flower motif and emphasizes the Filipino artist behind the artwork.
The diverse upbringing and the cultural influences of TU are integrated into his art. “I have a full Filipino heritage, grew up in New Jersey and have been living in New York for almost two decades. This area is incredibly diverse – they feel a bit of everyone and everything. It is a melting pot, and this is reflected in my work.”
TU, a webby award winner, is grateful that he represents both New York and New Jersey because he has the feeling that he feels the whole world through his art. “It is a privilege to bring this perspective to an event that is so important worldwide.”
His design aims to vibrate both locally and worldwide. “I hope the poster connects to people on different levels, both here and around the world. The design is deliberately layered and works from the inside to the outside to tell a deep and meaningful story.”
His hope, he says, is that it will be a symbol that remains in the minds of people long after the tournament – a visual memory of a historical moment in sport and culture.
“With the final, which is to be hosted here in NY/NJ, I want this poster to be part of the tapestry of the event – a visual story that connects the bars with the global.”
Apart from TU, it is worth mentioning that the Filipino creative community plays the FIFA World Championship 2026 considerably.
For the first time in history, three Filipino creative part of this milestone, as announced by Socal Filipinos on their Instagram page.
In addition to TU, DJ Flict from Los Angeles Las created official FIFA 26 Sonic ID and combined Mariachi trumpets with hip-hop on the west coast to create a uniquely inspired La-inspired sound.
Leroid David from San Francisco designed the Host City poster in Bay Area and conquered the spirit of innovation, diversity and sport – from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Levi's Stadium.
When TU, who previously worked with MTV, Nike, the New York Times and the New Yorker, was asked about his work, emphasized the importance of energy and personal importance.
“I want people to feel the energy of the work, see them as more than just one picture – I want it to be feelings, memories and even inspire. I think events like the World Cup have the strength to create symbols that exceed the moment.”
The podcast moderator and co-founder of the colorful awards also hopes that his poster will become one of these symbols es-es, which people can look back on and not only see the design, but the story behind it that is rooted in inheritance, unity and hope.
“It is really an honor to be part of a tradition that celebrates the world that comes through sport and art.”