SACRAMENTO, Calif. — There’s nothing better, said 15-year-old Jovany Luna of Sacramento, than watching Mexico compete in the World Cup.

What You Need To Know

Each of the 16 host cities has an official FIFA poster, the first time in the tournament’s history


Bay Area native and Sacramento-based artist LeRoid David submitted the winning design to create the Bay Area host city’s official World Cup poster


David’s design is featured in the Bay Area, while also on lots of official World Cup merch

While not going to a game in person himself, it’s something Luna said would be incredible.

Across town, dreams involving the World Cup are something Sacramento-based artist LeRoid David can relate to. He said he feels so fortunate to be living out a dream he once thought was unattainable — submitting the winning design to create the Bay Area host city’s official World Cup poster.

“The World Cup was never on my radar because it was just something that was too big, man,” David said.

David, a lifelong sports fan who grew up in San Francisco, said he drew inspiration from the Bay Area’s iconic landmarks and what the region is best known for.

“They are our two most important bridges in the Bay Area,” David said, pointing to his design. “So, I wanted to include them side by side. The signature fog was important. The stadium, Levi Stadium — or I should say, the San Francisco Bay Area stadium — I had to include a little bit of that. And an homage to Silicon Valley.”

Each of the 16 host cities has an official FIFA poster, the first time in the tournament’s history. David’s design is featured in the Bay Area as well as on lots of official World Cup merch.

A nice little extra, David said, is the opportunity to attend a game live because of his winning design: Austria vs. Jordan.

“Just so incredible,” he said.

But the best thing of all, David said, is his design being part of en event that brings people together, no matter their background, from every corner of the world.

“Somehow you just get sucked into the celebration, and you’re just enjoying the moment with them,” David said. “And I’ve never seen anything like that with any other sport.”

It’s something Luna agrees with.

“At the end of the day, we’re all here together watching the beautiful game,” he said.

And something he said he looks forward to continuing for weeks to come.