The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to take over the City of Toronto beginning on June 12, 2026, and ahead of the world’s most prestigious tournament, the official host city poster has been unveiled.
After a pool of more than 550 applicants, Toronto-based illustrator Dave Murray was selected to commission the city’s official poster which captures “the energy and passion that define both the city and the world’s most popular sporting event,” according to a .
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This marks the first time that a FIFA World Cup has included posters specific to each host city.
About the Toronto-based artist and design
Murray, an illustrator and artist based in Toronto’s west end, comes in with more than a decade of experience, with his work featured in top publications and brands worldwide which includes the 2024 MLB Post-season and World Series, and most recently, the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Toronto’s host city poster features “a player in motion, emblazoned with a stylized red maple leaf, preparing to strike” and symbolizes the grandeur of the tournament and its importance in growing the game of soccer across Toronto, Ontario and Canada.
The city’s shoreline is also highlighted with a soccer ball positioned over downtown Toronto, which marks the location of BMO Field.
The featured grid pattern behind the player is a nod to the city’s street layout and symbolizes a quilt which reflects the vibrant and diverse people and neighbourhoods that comprise the city.
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“I’m unbelievably thrilled, proud, and honoured to be able to reveal my official host city poster for the 2026 @fifaworldcup, here in Toronto,” Murray said in an .
“Being able to combine sport and art for the World Cup is incredible, made even more special that it’s coming here, to the city I live in and love.”
Social media reactions
Upon the announcement and reveal of the 2026 FIFA World Cup host city poster, reactions have flooded social media.
“This is freakin historic!! Massive congrats! Will be in the annals with the all time classics!!” @the_sporting_press commented on Murray’s .
“It’s beautiful. An instant classic,” said @nphlmag in response to the social media post.
“One of the best posters for a WC in decades!” Instagram user @unnxandros commented.
Host city posters
The artwork for each of the 16 host cities was unveiled online from Tuesday, March 18 through Thursday, April 17. Here are the host city poster designs for each city hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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All posters are now available for purchase on the 2026 FIFA World Cup website.
Toronto is set to host six matches over the course of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting with the first-ever men’s World Cup match on Canadian soil on June 12, 2026.
The final game the city will host will be a round of 32 matches on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
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