Features

The United States is about to be on the global stage for fútbol next year, hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with Canada and Mexico, and one of SVA’s own is among the select few honored with leading the creative visual charge.

Earlier this week at Poster House in New York, FIFA unveiled the official New York/New Jersey 2026 World Cup poster created by designer, visual artist, creative director and BFA Design faculty member Rich Tu (MFA 2009 Illustration as Visual Essay) as part of a series representing the 16 host cities in North America.

The event is significant as the U.S. hasn’t hosted the World Cup since 1994. Tu’s design, featuring the Statue of Liberty and a patchwork soccer ball, incorporates local symbols like the Knicks’ orange, the Big Apple, slices of pizza, dice representing Atlantic City in New Jersey, and other Easter eggs.

The poster is currently showcased in Times Square, MetLife Stadium, and Jersey City, reflecting global and local pride. “You just get a couple of calls in your lifetime that are like, ‘Whoa. This is crazy,’” Tu said over the phone this week. “This was definitely one of them.”

Tu cited American graphic designer Lance Wyman’s 1970 World Cup Mexico poster as one of his favorites and called it a daunting task to follow in the footsteps of giants, but also inspiring.

“You look at that design and you think, ‘Okay, how am I going to try to add to this, let alone top it’? So, I wanted to do something else that felt iconic, and felt big,” he said.

Tu highlighted the importance of civic pride and togetherness, emphasizing the event’s potential to unite people amidst divisive times.

“Yes, the World Cup is about soccer. Yes, it’s about global sports, but it’s about civic pride, too,” he explained. “When everything is so incredibly divisive—[this event is] all about togetherness, [with] everyone feeling like, ‘Hey, let’s have a great time and make some awesome memories around this event’...Togetherness is something that we need more than ever right now.” 

Tu serves as a partner and executive creative director at the design studio Sunday Afternoon. He has held lead design positions at MTV Entertainment Group and Nike Inc. The educator and author has received numerous awards and accolades, including the ADC and Webby Awards, and has worked for publications and global brands such as The New York Times, G-Shock, and Budweiser.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place June 11 – July 19, 2026, in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.