The Atlanta-centric poster soon to be seen around the world has officially arrived!
Atlanta World Cup Host Committee leaders and their FIFA partners today revealed a skyline-heavy, surrealist work that aims to capture local landmarks and traditions—and the “unifying power” of soccer, like 15 other posters for host cities next year.
It’s called the Official FIFA World Cup 26™ Atlanta Host City Poster.
The artist—Atlanta-based Jose Hadathy, who moved to the metro from Ecuador as a child—is a Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta graduate who works as creative design manager for Atlanta United today. His poster is one of 16 slated to be rolled out in FIFA-chosen cities over the few weeks.
With a peach meant to represent Southern hospitality as its focal point, the poster puts downtown and Midtown skylines (and MARTA) front and center. Also featured is a leafy depiction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and city landmarks ranging the Georgia State Capitol to Krog Street Tunnel, the Martin Luther King Jr. Birth Home, a station soccer pitch, and Midtown’s Rainbow Crosswalks.
Courtesy of Atlanta World Cup Host Committee/FIFA
Courtesy of Atlanta World Cup Host Committee/FIFA
Hadathy said in today’s announcement the poster was inspired by Atlanta’s culture, history, and “profound connection” to soccer. Starting in June next year, the eight World Cup matches slated for Atlanta “will shine a global spotlight on [the city] and the state of Georgia,” added the artist. “I wanted to create something that captures the energy and excitement of the world’s greatest sporting event, while authentically connecting with locals and inspiring visitors to explore our wonderful city and state.”
Official posters for each North American host city will continue to be unveiled on FIFA’s website through April 17.
As of this writing, three posters had been uncloaked, and Atlanta’s certainly stands out so far.
With the first ATL World Cup match just 447 days away, and in the spirit of competition, it’s time for a reader poll asking your thoughts on how this important piece of Atlanta PR turned out. Have a look at the full high-res poster below, and please take a second to vote beneath that:
Courtesy of Atlanta World Cup Host Committee/FIFA
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