If there’s a creative endeavor of any kind, expect Seattle to show up and look good. Case in point: Our official 2026 FIFA World Cup host city poster took the top spot in Sports Illustrated’s national ranking.

For the first time in FIFA World Cup history, each of the tournament’s 16 host cities — spanning the U.S., Mexico, and Canada — designed its own official poster. As Sports Illustrated wrote, “Posters have become synonymous pieces of memorabilia for fans, organizers and anyone involved in the events.” The magazine ranked the top 14, with Toronto coming in second and Dallas third.

Seattle’s winning poster, created by Camano Island–based artist Shogo Ota, features an orca tail rising from the waves of Elliott Bay, framed by Mount Rainier and the downtown skyline. Sports Illustrated called it “a perfect embodiment of the natural beauty of Seattle,” noting its “engaging artistic styles and iconography” and “a vibrant colour scheme that plays off the local Seattle Sounders FC rave green.”

Ota, who was born in Japan, founded Tireman Studio and has created work for brands including Nike, Starbucks, Fjallraven, and the Seattle Seahawks. His style blends organic and geometric forms with storytelling, humor, and intention. He’s also left his mark on the local public art scene with murals in Edmonds, Mill Creek, and Seattle, to name a few.

Seattle will host six FIFA World Cup matches at Lumen Field in summer 2026. Officials expect more than half-a-million fans to visit, bringing an estimated $1 billion in economic impact to the region and creating more than 20,000 jobs. 

The poster’s popularity is helping build momentum as the city gears up for the games. FIFA World Cup Seattle was proud to announce the win: “Seattle shines! It’s a testament to Shogo Ota’s talent and the vibrant spirit of our city.”

You can buy posters here. 

The official poster for the entire 2026 FIFA World Cup hasn’t dropped yet, but it’s got some stiff competition.