Rhode Island Native Creates Poster for Boston Leg of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston Host City Poster created in collaboration with the Massachusetts College of Art & Design (MassArt), and designed by John Rego, a 2018 MassArt graduate and current faculty member in Illustration.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to Boston next summer, and Rhode Island locals are getting in on the fun in a creative way. The official host city poster was designed by none other than Warren native, John Rego, a 2018 MassArt graduate and current faculty member. The New England-inspired poster weaves together classic Bostonian images and symbols with a children’s book-style that pays homage to the city’s unique identity and history.

“John Rego and the students at MassArt were able to bring the essence of Boston to life in a fun, creative and unique way,” says Julie Duffy, the 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 the hidden surprises that lie beneath its surface.”

An underwater soccer match between Boston Harbor inhabitants, including a gigantic lobster goalkeeper and an octopus with a cleat for every single leg, takes center stage, representing the city’s famous waterfront as a focal point of the art piece. Additionally, the skyline in the background completes the image, depicting Boston’s blend of historical and modern architecture.

Behind the scenes with MassArt students, faculty, and FIFA World Cup 26™ Boston personnel. Note: John Rego is in a black sweater in front of the white board. Photo courtesy of MassArt

“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,” Rego says. “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. 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.”

Packed full of surprises, the poster is like an I-spy game for all things Boston. Even the border of the poster is New England-inspired with illustrations of the region’s four diverse seasons, incorporating mountains, birds and even more sea life from local waters in a folk-art style.

Up for a challenge? See if you can find hidden references to these places or events:

• Head of the Charles
• Boston’s Public Garden
• The Boston Tea Party
• The North End
• The Tall Ships
• Cape Cod
• State Street building
• Bunker Hill Monument

Don’t miss your chance to purchase this image as a poster or on official tournament gear. Merchandise will be on sale leading up to the seven matches set to take place in Boston and the rest of the World Cup games. The Official FIFA World Cup 26 Tournament Poster is yet to be revealed and will finally be publicized prior to the Final Draw later this year, where group stage schedules are determined. To see each host city’s poster, learn more about artists and sign up to be notified as posters go on sale visit FIFAWorldCup.com