Meet the artist behind the Los Angeles Host City poster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

That perfect Southern California sunset. The palm trees. The Los Angeles skyline. The unmatched energy of the beautiful game.

Those things — more like feelings, really — inspired one LA-based artist to create a special project for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Last March, the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee unveiled the winning design for the official FIFA World Cup ’26 Los Angeles Host City Poster.

That winning piece, a blend of digital painting, collage, and illustration meant to capture the spirit of LA, was created by Santa Monica resident Thieb Delaporte-Richard, 32.

Delaporte-Richard — an independent senior art director who specializes in design, motion, and 3D — was one of more than 900 LA County artists who entered the poster design contest in fall 2024.

The artist told NBC Los Angeles he came across the contest on social media about a week before the deadline for entries.

“It immediately felt like the perfect way to bring together my passions and the city I call home,” Delaporte-Richard explained. “It made so much sense, that I didn’t hesitate.”

His poster, now available for pre-order via the FIFA Store, will be prominently featured around Los Angeles in the weeks leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

That ramp-up is now.

LA is preparing to host eight FIFA World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium (aka Los Angeles Stadium, by World Cup standards) throughout this June and July.

The city will also host the FIFA Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Coliseum on June 11-June 14, and official “Fan Zones” across several local communities during the World Cup.

It’s an exciting time, especially for Delaporte-Richard as he prepares to start seeing his artwork around the city.

One year after winning the host city poster contest, he told NBCLA it all “still feels a bit surreal.”

“I’m just so glad I could represent the city on the global stage,” Delaporte-Richard said in an interview Thursday. “That’s something I’ll never take for granted. I’m really excited for the World Cup now.”

Thieb Delaporte-Richard

Thieb Delaporte-Richard

The draw of Los Angeles

Born in Strasbourg, France, Delaporte-Richard moved to Los Angeles in 2015 after visiting Santa Monica for what was supposed to be a short internship.

The powerful lure of the Southern California beaches, palm trees, landscapes, weather, and lifestyle kept him here. He also loved the diverse communities in Los Angeles.

“When I moved here in the city of LA, it immediately felt like home,” Delaporte-Richard said. “You don’t feel like, ‘Oh, you’re someone from a different country or area.’ So many people come from different backgrounds, places, countries — that blend of community is something I love here. There’s such a unique energy in the city.”

Thieb Delaporte-Richard

Thieb Delaporte-Richard

An artist’s inspiration

Delaporte-Richard said his LA Host City poster design was inspired by the vibrant colors of Los Angeles.

“I really wanted to capture the corals, the lights that are so unique here in LA, especially at sunset,” he said. “Then I started thinking about the energy of the city and how huge it is; (capturing) how vibrant it is was super important to me.”

Delaporte-Richard said he tied the design together with an image of a soccer player about to kick a ball, a nod to the special energy that comes with the sport.

When FIFA World Cup fans and Angelenos see the poster, the artist hopes they “feel the energy right away, something that immediately reminds you of LA, but also the excitement of the World Cup.”

“I wanted it to feel warm, dynamic, and welcoming — like the city itself,” he added.

Delaporte-Richard is a lifelong soccer fan; he’s been playing and watching soccer ever since he was a child.

In fact, his first-ever design project was creating a “football banner” as a teenager, for fun. So, for him, this World Cup art project “is really like going full circle.”

“When I saw the opportunity to work on that poster, it just felt like the perfect way to bring together my passion for the game, the creative journey, and the city of LA that I call home,” he told NBCLA. “I’m really grateful to the Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee for giving local artists such a great opportunity.”

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Kicking into 2026 FIFA World Cup mode

Over the past year, Delaporte-Richard has been able to connect with people around Los Angeles and on social media who have seen his LA poster art, telling him “it feels like their city.”

He’s also been able to sign the poster at a few events this past year.

He said having his work on such a big platform is something he’ll never forget.

“I’ve been lucky to work on huge projects in my career, but this one is really special because it’s so personal. It’s about my passions, my city,” he said. “And now it’s starting to feel more real, with the World Cup coming up.”

Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee

Los Angeles World Cup 2026 Host Committee

Delaporte-Richard said his poster is slated to appear in major locations across LA.

For now, he’s waiting patiently for its wider rollout, and for FIFA World Cup fans to have it in their hands.

He loves that it’s a physical piece of art, rather than solely digital.

Delaporte-Richard, of course, proudly has his very own copy of the poster at home.

The FIFA World Cup 26™ Host Committee in Los Angeles organized the first Community Day, where Angelenos were able to create art installations that will later be displayed throughout the city

2026 FIFA World Cup matches in Los Angeles

LA will host eight World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, including the U.S. Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) opening match and Group Stage matches.

Here’s the schedule:

• June 12: USA vs. Paraguay (USMNT’s opening match)
• June 15: Iran vs. New Zealand
• June 18: Switzerland vs. TBD (European playoff winner)
• June 21: Belgium vs. Iran
• June 25: USA vs. TBD (European playoff winner)
• June 28: Round of 32 (Match 73)
• July 2: Round of 32 (Match 84)
• July 10: Quarter-Final (Match 98)

Delaporte-Richard said he’s planning to attend a few of the local matches, as well as fan events around the city. He knows the energy of the city will shine as bright as ever.

“This is going to be really special here,” he said. “Being able to share it with the entire LA community will be awesome.”

Delaporte-Richard said he’ll be rooting for the USMNT in the World Cup and, of course, France.

“As a football fan, I’m in love with the game, so I’ll be rooting for just a beautiful competition and great players. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” he added.